Swedish Boxer Otto Wallin Applauds Usyk’s Homecoming Fight Against Dubois

Harry Sadoun Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Poland is set to witness a historic showdown as Oleksandr Usyk takes on Daniel Dubois on August 26.

In the world of boxing, few matchups generate as much excitement and anticipation as a heavyweight showdown. The upcoming bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois promises to be an exhilarating clash, capturing the attention of fans worldwide. 

As the boxing world gears up for this thrilling contest, Swedish heavyweight boxer Otto Wallin shares his insights on what makes this fight so compelling.

Wallin believes the choice of Poland as the fight's location adds an intriguing dynamic to the event. 

“I think it's a good fight. It's nice for Usyk to fight in Poland. Next to his home country of Ukraine. It will probably be nice for him to have a lot of Ukrainians there who want to see him.

"He has had to have all his fights abroad in different countries, but now he gets to fight pretty much in his backyard. I'm sure it's a big motivation for him.”

Regarding Daniel Dubois, Wallin acknowledges that the British fighter is the underdog, but he emphasizes the significant threat posed by Dubois' imposing size and knockout power. 

Wallin suggests that while Usyk is indeed the superior fighter, Dubois' punching prowess grants him a "puncher's chance" to upset the odds. Wallin also reminds fans that Usyk's performances against Chisora and Witherspoon were not as dominant as his bout against Joshua, indicating that the outcome remains uncertain.

“And with Dubois, I think he is the underdog, of course. But he's a big guy. A big heavyweight and he's a big puncher. So you can always give him the punches-chance to win the fight. But I think that Usyk is, of course, the better fighter and he looked great against Joshua.

"But you got to remember, too, that he didn't look that good against Chisora and Witherspoon, which was his first fights with the heavyweights.”

“So we'll have to wait and see how he looks in this fight. But of course, Usyk will be the favourite.”

One might wonder if Usyk would have taken this fight voluntarily if not for Daniel Dubois’ role as a mandatory challenger.  According to Wallin, Usyk is a true warrior who is willing to face anyone put in front of him. He believes Usyk would have accepted the fight based on its merit and compensation, particularly since the much-desired match against Tyson Fury has yet to materialize. As boxing enthusiasts eagerly await the Fury vs. Usyk clash, this bout against Dubois serves as an enthralling stepping stone in Usyk's journey.

“Usyk is a guy that fights anyone, really. And I like that with him. So I think he'll probably take this fight as long as it would make sense and he would get paid enough. Especially since he hasn't been able to make the fight with Fury, so he has to fight someone. I think this is probably a good fight for him right now.”

In the event of Usyk's triumph, the question naturally arises - what's next for the Ukrainian superstar? Wallin believes that a slew of exhilarating matchups awaits him. The most anticipated showdown, of course, is against Tyson Fury. The potential clash between two boxing maestros promises to be a spectacle for the ages, akin to the legendary Spencer vs. Crawford matchup.

“I think it will be more big fights for him, and everybody wants to see him and Fury, of course. I hope they can make that. I think it would be great for boxing, just like with Spencer vs. Crawford. We need those big fights.”

“Everybody is hoping that will get made.”

“If it doesn't, then I think he can fight Wilder. And then I think it's Filip Hrgović that's the mandatory fight after Dubois, so that might be a fight for him. I don't think that that Hrgoivć, is a household name like the other guys, but we'll see what happens. But you know, hopefully, they'll make the Fury fight happen.”

However, Wallin is cognizant that making the Fury fight happen has been an arduous task due to certain complications on Fury's end. He notes that Fury's choice to face a UFC opponent rather than a legitimate boxer raises questions about his commitment to defending his title against the best in the division. Wallin, like many boxing purists, yearns to witness Fury in the ring against formidable adversaries, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport's greats.

“I honestly think that he has made it difficult to make the fight.”

“It also shows it to me, now that he is now fighting a guy from the UFC, while there's a ton of us waiting to fight him. He's been saying that nobody wants to fight him and that's simply not true.”

“I think that this fight with Ngannou will make him a lot of money, so it makes sense in that way. It's an easy fight for him for a lot of money, so I can understand why he's doing it, but I'm not a fan of it. I would like him to fight real boxers and defend his title.”

Lastly, we asked Otto about his opinion on Robert Helenius stepping in to fight Anthony Joshua following Dillian Whyte’s ban due to a failed doping test. The Finnish heavyweight was last in the ring on the weekend. 

“I don't think it's a problem for Helenius to fight two times within 7 days, considering the first fight was pretty easy and he knocked the first guy out. Which he was also supposed to do. "

"I think it could actually be a good thing for him that he was just in the ring fighting on the weekend. He obviously trained a lot to be ready for that fight. That shape doesn't just go away in a couple of days. As long as he didn't get hurt or anything, I actually think it's a good thing that he was just fighting. He only went three rounds.”

“This fight is a great opportunity for Robert. To come in on late notice and give Anthony Joshua a decent fight.” 

“Robert Helenius is definitely not a bad fighter. He has some pretty good boxing skills and I would say if he lands a big shot, he can hurt Anthony Joshua.” 

“Robert is definitely a big puncher, so it could happen. It’s easier said than done for sure. AJ is of course going to be considered the big favourite, but anything can happen in heavyweight boxing.” 

“Robert is still fighting and any fighter out there wants the big fights and wants to be making big money in big opportunity fights. He's naturally going to be a big underdog in this fight, but if he manages to win, he'll be in an amazing position to get himself yet another big fight.”

As the anticipation for Usyk vs. Dubois reaches a crescendo, the boxing world collectively hopes for a memorable battle. Whether Usyk continues his quest for glory against the likes of Deontay Wilder or potential mandatory challenger Filip Hrgović, fans remain eager for the ultimate showdown against Tyson Fury.

As the dust settles in Poland after this epic clash, boxing enthusiasts worldwide will eagerly await the next chapter in the enthralling saga of the heavyweight division.

Image Credits: IMAGO/ Forum

Harry Sadoun

Harry Sadoun is a seasoned sports betting expert with a wealth of experience in the iGaming and sports betting industry. Over the past 5 years, he has established himself as a go-to source for insightful analysis and predictions at Vegasinsider. With a passion for sports, Harry specializes in football, basketball, tennis, rugby, and soccer, showcasing a diverse understanding of athletic competitions. Harry's unique approach to sports betting is rooted in a combination of statistical analysis, in-depth research, and a keen understanding of the dynamics that influence game outcomes. His expert opinions and strategic insights have made him a trusted voice in the industry, guiding both novice and seasoned bettors alike. With an unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and up-to-date information, Harry Sadoun continues to be a prominent figure in the world of sports betting, providing enthusiasts with the tools they need to make informed decisions. More from Harry Sadoun