Four things to know about tonight’s high-stakes heavyweight championship bout between Usyk and Dubois

Ukraine’s world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) will defend all his belts tonight against Britain’s Daniel Dubois (19-1, 19 KOs) in a high-stakes heavyweight championship fight in Wroclaw, Poland.

Rated as the world’s best fighter of 2022 by The Ring magazine, Usyk will seek to defend his WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF titles in the hopes of a generational heavyweight unification fight against WBC champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) next year.

How much will they make?

Plenty of money will be on the line as well, with millions of dollars on the line. The reigning champion will receive 75% of the prize fund ($6 million), while Dubois is set to receive $2 million. The boxers can also expect a cut from advertising, ticket sales, and broadcast rights.

What about the size difference?

Usyk dismissed the difference in size between the fighters. The Ukrainian 2012 Olympic champion weighed in at 12 lbs (5.6 kg) lighter than his opponent — at 229.0 lbs (100.2 kg) compared to Dubois at 233.2 lbs (105.8 kg).

“For me, the difference in weight doesn’t matter. I am a boxer. Maybe not as hard as Daniel, but I have a different heart,” Usyk explained.

Questions about Usyk’s size have dogged the fighter since making the jump to heavyweight after becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion. Usyk is trying to become just the second fighter in history — after the legendary Evander Holyfield — to be undisputed champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight division.

“Heavyweight is a dream for all boxers. This is the king weight,” said Usyk.

What are their nicknames?

Nicknames are as much a part of boxing as salo (ed. pork fat, national dish of Ukraine) and rye bread.

From the ‘Louisville Lip’ becoming ‘The Greatest’ (both Muhammad Ali) to ‘Iron Mike’ (Mike Tyson) to the man Usyk hopes to meet next — the ‘Gypsy King’ himself (Tyson Fury).

Read also: Usyk honors Crimea by wearing stunning Tatar embroidered shirt at title fight press conference

So, what are the fighters known as in this title fight?

Dubois picked up the moniker ‘Dynamite’ for his devastating knockout victories. Usyk has had the nickname ‘The Cat’ for years, not that he’s happy about it.

“I don’t like that nickname. The cat, of course, is a cute little animal: purr-purr. But in the city, the animal is absolutely useless. Even in the village, where he performs his duties, he is simply handsome,” Usyk said.

“There is hardly anything feline about me. I like the wolf better.”

Where to watch the fight?

The fight will take place at the Tarchinski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, with the main card expected to begin around 9:00 p.m. EET.

The ring walks for the main event are expected to begin around midnight EET.

Read also: Dubois threatens to destroy Usyk ahead of heavyweight title bout

With most Ukrainians being forced to watch the fight from home because of war-related curfews, Ukrainians will need to tune into the programming on the Megogo entertainment platform.

TNT Sports pay-per-view is offering the bout in the UK, while ESPN+ will carry the match in the USA.

For a background of the fighters and the full fight card, check out this article.

Ukraine’s two-time Olympic champion Vasyl Lomachenko will be in attendance.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine