{"id":271259,"date":"2025-07-18T05:45:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T05:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/271259\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T05:45:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T05:45:11","slug":"daniel-dubois-shrugs-off-canelo-alvarezs-500000-bet-against-him-boxing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/271259\/","title":{"rendered":"Daniel Dubois shrugs off Canelo \u00c1lvarez\u2019s $500,000 bet against him | Boxing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Daniel Dubois has warned Canelo \u00c1lvarez that he will lose $500,000 on Saturday night after the Mexican superstar placed a sizeable bet against him<\/a>. \u00c1lvarez, the richest and most celebrated fighter in contemporary boxing, is convinced that Oleksandr Usyk will beat Dubois at Wembley Stadium for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt don\u2019t mean nothing me,\u201d Dubois said at Thursday\u2019s press conference when he was asked about \u00c1lvarez\u2019s expensive prediction. \u201cIt don\u2019t mean shit to me. He\u2019s going to lose his money. From now on I\u2019m just focused.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old Dubois<\/a>, the IBF champion who wore a utilitarian tracksuit and black baseball cap, suggested that \u201cI\u2019m going to write my own script now\u201d, before adding: \u201cI\u2019ve prepared right. I\u2019m on a different level now. I\u2019m ready to go through whatever I need to on Saturday and take them belts. I\u2019m chasing glory and I\u2019m chasing greatness. This is history-making and I\u2019m going to do a real demolition job. I\u2019m hungry and ready for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dubois is 11 years younger than Usyk \u2013 the WBA, WBC and WBO title-holder who was far more nattily dressed in a flowing white gown, white jacket, black shirt and trousers and black Cossack hat \u2013 and he addressed their difference in age: \u201cIt\u2019s facts. I\u2019m a young lion and I\u2019ve got to take over, be the man and execute him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Usyk responded with his characteristically light touch. \u201cListen, I respect this young guy,\u201d he said of Dubois. \u201cHe\u2019s motivated but I am too. I\u2019m not an old guy. 38 is not old. We will see on Saturday \u2013 it\u2019s God\u2019s will.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ukrainian, who has become such a symbol of defiant inspiration to his country<\/a> during the long and bloody onslaught from Russia, pointed out the fight\u2019s deeper resonance for him. \u201cEvery time I fight it\u2019s important for me and my team but now it\u2019s very important for my country and for the soldiers, because it is motivation for my people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked if he had been \u201crattled\u201d by Dubois\u2019 new-found confidence since Usyk defeated him in August 2023, the unbeaten champion looked suitably puzzled. It took a few attempts before he understood the meaning of the word and responded with a smile and a shrug: \u201cNo, I not feel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Canelo \u00c1lvarez (above) is convinced that Oleksandr Usyk will beat Daniel Dubois on Saturday and has bet $500,000 on that outcome. Photograph: Steve Marcus\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Don Charles, Dubois\u2019 trainer, had tried to goad Usyk by questioning his religious faith at the press conference in April. He was more circumspect this time: \u201cI\u2019ve normally got a lot to say but all the talking has been done. It\u2019s now time for action. Please tune in, those at home, and those in attendance get behind Daniel Dubois. Let\u2019s make history together. Come on. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Usyk responded more cryptically. \u201cDon\u2019t push the horses,\u201d he advised Charles.<\/p>\n

\u201cPardon me?\u201d the bewildered trainer replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t push the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles shook his head. \u201cI need a translator.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cOK, I translate,\u201d said Sergey Lapin, Usyk\u2019s long-time friend and a key member in his camp. Lapin then repeated the exact same mysterious words in English: \u201cDon\u2019t push the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019s trying to gee you up,\u201d Dubois\u2019 promoter Frank Warren quipped to Charles.<\/p>\n

Usyk was more clear when asked if he will win by stoppage. \u201cYeah, I believe this,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

Dubois, meanwhile, insisted: \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to the fight. I\u2019m up for it. I feel I\u2019m at the peak of my powers and it\u2019s going to be a great performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ritual face-off<\/a> was just as routine as the two men stared into each other\u2019s eyes. Usyk did not blink once before Dubois turned away after 35 seconds to orchestrate, slightly awkwardly, a chant of \u201cDu-bois \u2026 Du-bois \u2026 Du-bois \u2026\u201d from his backers.<\/p>\n

He resumed the stare-down for another 10 seconds before walking away with his team.<\/p>\n

Usyk remained centre-stage, holding three fingers high on both hands, as he silently promised to become an undisputed world champion for a third time, having previously achieved this feat at both cruiserweight and heavyweight. A champion as experienced and hardened as Usyk knows that such performative trifles won\u2019t matter much on fight night. But \u00c1lvarez, a serious poker player as well as a gambler and a fighter, will have been pleased that this little game of bluff was won by Usyk.<\/p>\n