Wembley Stadium sets the stage for one of the biggest nights in boxing this Friday, as Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois meet once again in a blockbuster heavyweight rematch with all the belts on the line. The action doesn’t stop there—former cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie returns in the co-main event to take on South Africa’s powerhouse, Kevin Lerena. Below, we break down the two headline bouts from a betting perspective.
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OLEKSANDR USYK vs DANIEL DUBOIS 2
WBC, WBO, WBA Heavyweight Title Fight – Main Event (12 Rounds):
Oleksandr Usyk puts his unbeaten record on the line once again this weekend as he defends his heavyweight titles in a highly anticipated rematch. The Ukrainian maestro boasts an unblemished 23-0 record, with 14 of those wins coming by knockout. Fresh off back-to-back victories over Tyson Fury, Usyk continues to prove why he’s one of the most skilled and cerebral fighters in the division. A master of movement and timing, he’s repeatedly shown that his footwork and boxing IQ allow him to neutralize even the most physically imposing opponents.
Their first meeting ended in the ninth round, with Usyk stopping Daniel Dubois after a controversial moment in the fifth—when a body shot from Dubois was ruled low, much to the frustration of his camp.
Daniel Dubois returns with a point to prove and fire in his belly. With a record of 22 wins and 2 defeats—21 of those wins by knockout—Dubois brings serious punching power and an aggressive style to the ring. He and his team maintain that the punch that floored Usyk last time was legal, and he’ll be looking to right that perceived wrong in emphatic fashion.
Since their first clash, Dubois appears to have tightened up his defense and is showing renewed confidence. He comes into this bout riding a three-fight win streak, most recently dispatching Anthony Joshua with a fifth-round knockout in September of last year.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Usyk 1.30
Dubois 3.30
PREDICTION:
In my view, Usyk’s experience and technical mastery should be enough to navigate the early storm that Dubois is likely to bring. If he can keep his distance and avoid the big power shots, I expect him to gradually wear Dubois down with his superior footwork, angles, and volume. Over time, that accumulation could take its toll—and I’m backing Usyk to secure a stoppage in the later rounds.
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LAWRENCE OKOLIE vs KEVIN LERENA
WBC Silver Heavyweight Co-Main Event (12 Rounds):
Lawrence Okolie steps into the ring for just his second fight at heavyweight, following a thunderous debut in December where he dismantled Hussein Muhamed in a single round. The former cruiserweight world champion boasts an impressive record of 21 wins with just 1 defeat, and 16 of those victories have come by knockout.
Now campaigning at heavyweight, Okolie brings a difficult style for opponents to figure out—tall, rangy, and unorthodox, with serious knockout power. While he’s still adjusting to the demands of the new weight class, a convincing performance here could fast-track him toward title contention.
Kevin Lerena enters this bout as a seasoned and respected contender with a record of 31 wins and 3 losses, including 15 stoppages. Known for his combination of power and stamina, Lerena nearly shocked the world in 2022 when he dropped Daniel Dubois three times in a single round, announcing himself as a true threat in the division.
He returns to action off the back of a dominant third-round knockout win over Serhiy Radchenko in Pretoria earlier this year. The South African may be giving up size and reach against Okolie, but he brings grit, resilience, and experience—traits he’ll look to leverage by dragging the Brit into deep waters on fight night.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Okolie 1.40
Lerena 2.80
PREDICTION:
Lerena is a tough, battle-tested fighter who tends to start fast and aggressively—and I believe that will serve him well here against an opponent still finding his feet at heavyweight. While Okolie has power and reach, he remains relatively unproven in the division, and I expect Lerena to use his experience and pressure to close the distance as the fight progresses.
It may take a couple of rounds for him to break through Okolie’s awkward style, but once he finds his rhythm, I see Lerena landing something significant and forcing the stoppage around the middle rounds.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Usyk vs Dubois
Usyk by KO at 2.20
Okolie vs Lerena
Lerena by KO at 6.50
Note: All odds are correct at time of writing but are subject to change.
