Usyk's Brush With Death: "Horse Kicked a Hole in My Head" – Yet Dubois Doesn't Scare Him

By Lewis Barnett 2 May, 2025 6 mins read 44 Views

I'm sitting here in this stuffy room watching Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois size each other up, and lemme tell you – the tension is THICK. These two giants aren't just here for pleasantries. July 19th at Wembley? It's gonna be absolute warfare.

But here's teh thing that's blowing my mind right now.

The Horse That Almost Killed Him

Usyk just casually dropped a bombshell that made everyone in the room go silent. This man – who's beaten Bellew, Chisora, Joshua (twice!), and sent Tyson Fury packing into retirement – was once knocked unconscious by a damn horse.

"When I was young, a horse punched me in the head, BAM!" Usyk told us, mimicking the impact with his hands. "The horse had zero fights, zero wins and one knockout."

I nearly spit out my coffee.

The 38-year-old Ukrainian continued with this wild story about waking up and asking if he was alive while everyone celebrated his survival. They carted him home on the back of a horse cart (ironic much?) and broke the news to his parents that their son had "a little problem."

That "little problem"? A literal hole in his skull and blood everywhere.

Who Gets Back on the Horse That Almost Killed Them?

This is where Usyk's story gets properly insane. After a month of recovery, what does this madman do? He goes LOOKING for the same horse that nearly ended him.

"I found him and grabbed him by the neck, jumped on and rode him for about 10 kilometres. No problem," he said with that eerie calm that makes him so intimidating.

My editor leaned over and whispered, "That explains everything about his career, doesn't it?"

Silver Fox or Just Old?

We joked about the silver streaks appearing in Usyk's hair, and he immediately touched them like they were his source of power. "This silver hair is power," he insisted. "It's not possible for me to be too old."

Dubois, sitting just feet away, rolled his eyes and muttered something about facing a "silver-haired pensioner." The 27-year-old Londoner clearly doesn't buy the mystique. After his September demolition of Anthony Joshua, the young IBF champ is riding high on confidence.

I watched Usyk's face for a reaction. Nothing. Just that unnerving half-smile.

Mum's Advice: Get a Bigger Cup!

Remember their first fight back in 2023? When Dubois hit Usyk with that controversial low blow? Apparently, Usyk's mother hasn't forgotten.

"My mother told me to be careful in training and in the ring," Usyk revealed with a rare grin. "She told me not to get punched and to have a big groin protector."

Everyone in the room lost it. Even Dubois cracked a smile.

The Boxing Narco?

Just when I thought this interview couldn't get any stranger, Usyk dropped this gem: "Boxing is like a drug, big sport is like a drug. And I am a boxing narco man."

Did this man just compare himself to Pablo Escobar? I glanced at his translator wondering if something got lost, but nope – Usyk was doubling down, nodding confidently.

Listen. I've been covering boxing for 12 years. Never heard that one before.

Respect Outside, War Inside

Despite shoving Usyk during their Wembley face-off on Monday (which I personally thought was a bit desperate), Dubois showed genuine respect when discussing Usyk's efforts for Ukraine during the war.

"He is a hero to his people and I commend him for that," Dubois acknowledged. Then his eyes narrowed. "But once we are in the ring, I need to be the king. I need to take his belts and become undisputed."

The young challenger has clearly learned from their first encounter. "I am battle-hardened now, totally different to the fighter who lost our first fight," he insisted. "I'm not going to try to get into his head – I am just going to punch him."

Straight to the point. Gotta respect that.

Back in 2023, I'd have laughed if you told me Dubois would be holding a world title within a year. Shows what I know.

The Ghost of Fury's Career

One thing became clear during our time with these two – Usyk has mastered the psychological game. This is the same man who mentally broke Tyson Fury, driving him to announce his retirement after their rematch.

Dubois seems to recognize this, wisely avoiding the mind games altogether and focusing on his physical advantages.

Will it be enough?

July 19th can't come soon enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you wrap your hands for boxing?

Hand wrapping is essential in boxing for protecting your wrists and hands from injury. Unwind the wraps, place the thumb loop on your thumb and extend the wrap to the back of your hands. Then, wrap your wrist multiple times. Crisscross between your fingers, cover your knuckles, and finish by securing the wrap around your wrist with the Velcro fastening.

How often should a beginner train in boxing?

Beginners are advised to aim for 2 to 3 boxing sessions per weeks, with adequate time between each session for recovery and rest. As you get more comfortable with the sport and gain fitness, you can increase the intensity and frequency of your training.

Can boxing enhance mental health?

Boxing is a great way to improve your mental health. It can reduce stress, enhance mood, boost self-esteem and discipline. Focusing on the training can be a meditation that helps to improve concentration and clears the mind.

How do I select the correct size and type boxing gloves?

The type and size of boxing gloves you need will depend on how much you weigh, your level of protection, and what you plan to do (e.g. sparring, competition, or heavy bag work). Gloves are measured in ounces; beginners often start with 12oz or 14oz gloves for general training and move up to heavier gloves for sparring for added protection.

Statistics

About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
Cardiovascular fitness improvements can be seen after just 12 weeks of consistent boxing training.
Studies suggest that about 30% of beginner boxers tend to neglect the importance of footwork in their initial training phase.
Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.

External Links

How To

How to Throw A Jab In Boxing

The jab is the most fundamental punch in boxing. Start by assuming your boxing posture and extending your lead fist straight at your target. Rotate your hand so that it faces down when you impact. Snap the hand back instantly to guard your face. The jab should be a fast, straight punch used both offensively and defensively, so keep it sharp and precise to set up combinations or keep an opponent at bay.