Daniel Dubois Shrugs Off Canelo Álvarez’s $500,000 Bet Against Him

Daniel Dubois has warned Canelo Álvarez that he will suffer $500,000 connected Saturday nighttime aft nan Mexican superstar placed a sizeable stake against him. Álvarez, nan richest and astir celebrated combatant successful modern boxing, is convinced that Oleksandr Usyk will hit Dubois astatine Wembley Stadium for nan undisputed heavyweight title of nan world.

“It don’t mean thing me,” Dubois said astatine Thursday’s property convention erstwhile he was asked astir Álvarez’s costly prediction. “It don’t mean crap to me. He’s going to suffer his money. From now connected I’m conscionable focused.”

The 27-year-old Dubois, nan IBF champion who wore a utilitarian grey tracksuit and achromatic shot cap, suggested that “I’m going to constitute my ain book now”, earlier adding: “I’ve prepared right. I’m connected a different level now. I’m fresh to spell done immoderate I request to connected Saturday and return them belts. I’m chasing glory and I’m chasing greatness. This is history-making and I’m going to do a existent demolition job. I’m quiet and fresh for it.”

Dubois is 11 years younger than Usyk – nan WBA, WBC and WBO title-holder who was acold much nattily dressed successful a flowing achromatic gown, achromatic jacket, achromatic garment and trousers and achromatic Cossack chapeau – and he addressed their quality successful age: “It’s facts. I’m a young lion and I’ve sewage to return over, beryllium nan man and execute him.”

Usyk responded pinch his characteristically ray touch. “Listen, I respect this young guy,” he said of Dubois. “He’s motivated but I americium too. I’m not an aged guy. 38 is not old. We will spot connected Saturday – it’s God’s will.”

The Ukrainian, who has go such a awesome of defiant inspiration to his country during nan agelong and bloody onslaught from Russia, pointed retired nan fight’s deeper resonance for him. “Every clip I conflict it’s important for maine and my squad but now it’s very important for my state and for nan soldiers, because it is information for my people.”

Asked if he had been “rattled” by Dubois’s new-found assurance since Usyk defeated him successful August 2023, nan unbeaten champion looked suitably puzzled. It took a fewer attempts earlier he understood nan meaning of nan connection and responded pinch a grin and a shrug: “No, I not feel.”

Canelo Álvarez (above) is convinced that Oleksandr Usyk will hit Daniel Dubois connected Saturday and has stake $500,000 connected that outcome. Photograph: Steve Marcus/Getty Images

Don Charles, Dubois’ trainer, had tried to goad Usyk by questioning his belief religion astatine nan property convention successful April. He was much circumspect this time: “I’ve usually sewage a batch to opportunity but each nan talking has been done. It’s now clip for action. Please tune in, those astatine home, and those successful attendance get down Daniel Dubois. Let’s make history together. Come on. Let’s go.”

Usyk responded much cryptically. “Don’t push nan horses,” he advised Charles.

“Pardon me?” nan bewildered trainer replied.

“Don’t push nan horses.”

Charles shook his head. “I request a translator.”

“OK, I translate,” said Sergey Lapin, Usyk’s long-time friend and a cardinal personnel successful his camp. Lapin past repeated nan nonstop aforesaid mysterious words successful English: “Don’t push nan horses.”

“I deliberation he’s trying to gee you up,” Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren quipped to Charles.

Usyk was much clear erstwhile asked if he will triumph by stoppage. “Yeah, I judge this,” he said quietly.

Dubois, meanwhile, insisted: “I’m looking guardant to nan fight. I’m up for it. I consciousness I’m astatine nan highest of my powers and it’s going to beryllium a awesome performance.”

The ritual face-off was conscionable arsenic regular arsenic nan 2 men stared into each other’s eyes. Usyk didn’t blink erstwhile earlier Dubois turned distant aft 35 seconds to orchestrate, somewhat awkwardly, a chant of “Du-bois … Du-bois … Du-bois …” from his backers.

He resumed nan stare-down for different 10 seconds earlier stepping distant pinch his team.

Usyk remained centre-stage, holding 3 fingers precocious connected some hands, arsenic he silently promised to go an undisputed world champion for a 3rd time, having antecedently achieved this feat astatine some cruiserweight and heavyweight. A champion arsenic knowledgeable and hardened arsenic Usyk knows that specified performative trifles won’t matter overmuch connected conflict night. But Álvarez, a superior poker subordinate arsenic good arsenic a gambler and a fighter, will person been pleased that this small crippled of bluff was won by Usyk.