Oleksandr Usyk after defeating Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 20, 2022. PA
Oleksandr Usyk after defeating Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 20, 2022. PA
Oleksandr Usyk after defeating Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 20, 2022. PA
Oleksandr Usyk after defeating Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 20, 2022. PA

Oleksandr Usyk to defend heavyweight titles against Britain's Daniel Dubois


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Oleksandr Usyk will defend his IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles against Britain's Daniel Dubois next month.

The match will take place at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, on August 26.

Usyk was expected to fight WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a unification fight but negotiations fell through in March.

Dubois, 25, is the WBA (regular) heavyweight belt holder and mandatory challenger.

Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk snatched the titles off Anthony Joshua in London in September 2021 and won the rematch in August last year in Saudi Arabia.

Dubois will be Usyk's second defence of his world heavyweight belts with the match-up announced on Twitter by Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions.

Usyk, whose scheduled showdown with Tyson Fury at Wembley fell through due to contractual disputes, said simply on Instagram: "See you 26 August".

Londoner Dubois, nicknamed 'Dynamite', has won 19 of his 20 fights since turning professional in 2017, 18 by knockout, with one defeat, against fellow British heavyweight Joe Joyce in 2020.

Dubois suffered a fractured orbital bone and nerve damage to his left eye when stopped in the 10th round by Joyce, but has beaten four opponents since.

  • Anthony Joshua looks angry after losing against Oleksandr Usyk in their world heavyweight bout on a split decision at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in August. Getty
    Anthony Joshua looks angry after losing against Oleksandr Usyk in their world heavyweight bout on a split decision at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in August. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk after retaining his world heavyweight titles in a split decision against Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PA
    Oleksandr Usyk after retaining his world heavyweight titles in a split decision against Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PA
  • Oleksandr Usyk celebrates winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images
    Oleksandr Usyk celebrates winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images
  • Oleksandr Usyk after winning in Jeddah. PA
    Oleksandr Usyk after winning in Jeddah. PA
  • Oleksandr Usyk reacts after his victory. PA
    Oleksandr Usyk reacts after his victory. PA
  • Anthony Joshua speaks to the crowd following his defeat against Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah. Getty
    Anthony Joshua speaks to the crowd following his defeat against Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk touch gloves at the end of the fight. PA
    Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk touch gloves at the end of the fight. PA
  • Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with his belts and his team. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with his belts and his team. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after retaining his world heavyweight titles. PA
    Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after retaining his world heavyweight titles. PA
  • Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with the flag of Ukraine. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with the flag of Ukraine. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images
    Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images
  • Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images
    Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images
  • Anthony Joshua on the front foot against Oleksandr Usyk. PA
    Anthony Joshua on the front foot against Oleksandr Usyk. PA
  • Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk trade punches. Getty
    Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk trade punches. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua evades a right. Getty
    Anthony Joshua evades a right. Getty
  • Oleksandr Usyk after receiving a low blow. Action Images
    Oleksandr Usyk after receiving a low blow. Action Images
  • Oleksandr Usyk lands a right on Anthony Joshua. Getty
    Oleksandr Usyk lands a right on Anthony Joshua. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in action at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah. PA
    Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in action at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah. PA
  • The ring is cleaned between rounds. Reuters
    The ring is cleaned between rounds. Reuters
  • Anthony Joshua evades a punch from Oleksandr Usyk. Getty
    Anthony Joshua evades a punch from Oleksandr Usyk. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua with a body shot. Action Images
    Anthony Joshua with a body shot. Action Images
  • Oleksandr Usyk throws a right. Action Images
    Oleksandr Usyk throws a right. Action Images
  • Oleksandr Usyk in action against Anthony Joshua. Action Images
    Oleksandr Usyk in action against Anthony Joshua. Action Images
  • Anthony Joshua made a low-key entrance at King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah. Getty
    Anthony Joshua made a low-key entrance at King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn before the fight. PA
    Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn before the fight. PA
RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Fernando Jara (jockey), Irfan Ellahi (trainer).

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,400m​​​​​​​
Winner: AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.

6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,400m​​​​​​​
Winner: Yaalail, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Fernando Jara, Helal Al Alawi.

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2.200m
​​​​​​​Winner: Ezz Al Rawasi, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.

Avengers: Endgame

Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin

4/5 stars 

If you go

The flights
Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Etihad (www.etihad.com) both fly direct to Bengaluru, with return fares from Dh 1240. From Bengaluru airport, Coorg is a five-hour drive by car.

The hotels
The Tamara (www.thetamara.com) is located inside a working coffee plantation and offers individual villas with sprawling views of the hills (tariff from Dh1,300, including taxes and breakfast).

When to go
Coorg is an all-year destination, with the peak season for travel extending from the cooler months between October and March.

Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes. 
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com

RESULTS

5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qais Aboud

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Almahroosa, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Sumoud, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Adventurous, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books

INFO
The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

Other must-tries

Tomato and walnut salad

A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.

Badrijani nigvzit

A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.

Pkhali

This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.

Updated: July 06, 2023, 1:18 PM