Oleksandr Usyk and Hamzah Sheeraz Score Impressive Stoppages
Fighting in front of the pro-Ukrainian crowd, unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14KO) scored an impressive late stoppage against “Dynamite” Daniel Dubois (19-2, 18KO).
Usyk delivered another fan-pleasing performance against a gamed Dubois, who fought hard for the majority of the fight. The unified champion’s movement, counter-punching, and straight left hand was money. The fight was beginning to look like a shutout until Dynamite started going to the body and landed some solid right hands.
In round five, Usyk was dropped by a right hand to the body, but it was ruled a low blow. However, the replay showed the punch landed on the belt line. After taking several minutes to recover, the unified champion went to work with combination punches.
Dubois gave a good account of himself and fought hard in the second half of the contest by landing right hands.
Down the stretch, Usyk landed a flurry of punches that dropped Dubois in the eighth round seconds before the bell. In round nine, he landed a short compact right hook that ended the fight.
In the post-fight interview, Usyk stated he is ready to fight for undisputed with WBC champion Tyson Fury next.
HAMZAH SHEERAZ DEMOLISHES DMYTRO MYTROFANOV WTH EASE
In a battle of undefeated middleweight prospects, Hamzah Sheeraz (18-0, 14KO) made quick work of another opponent in Dmytro Mytrofanov (13-1-1, 6KO).
This fight was almost over before it started, as Sheeraz’s long reach and power jab took control of the fight at the start of the bell. Though inspired by a pro-Ukrainian crowd, Mytrofanov tasted the canvas several times in the first round from Sheeraz’s power.
In round two, it was lion versus lamb as Sheeraz landed a punishing counter right hand that sent Mytrofanov to the canvas, forcing the referee to call for the stoppage.
The counter-shot that landed to end the fight was similar to when he stopped River Wilson-Bent in November 2022.
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Sheeraz continues to be impressive. Ranked number six by the WBO, he can start marching toward a title fight. In the post-fight interview, he expressed interest in fighting for a world title next year.
