In this week’s mailbag, we tackle your thoughts on Daniel Dubois’ chances in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk; whether Imam Khataev was robbed against David Morrell; the frustrating career of Gary Russell Jnr; wondering how the most recent versions of Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Schofield would fare against each other; and Amanda Serrano potentially reaching the tail end of her time in the sport.

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What improvements did Daniel Dubois have over the last two years to be favored in the rematch with Oleksandr Usyk? If Dubois does beat Usyk, that would be pretty impressive, as Usyk is undefeated and still is the WBA, WBC and WBO titleholder. So of course Dubois will get the credit he deserves – even if Usyk is a bit on the downslide, he is still pretty close to being in his prime with a win over Tyson Fury last December. 

But I don't think Dubois beat the best version of Anthony Joshua, so that isn't proof enough for me that he can catch Usyk, unless he works Usyk’s body more effectively or got better overall than in the first fight. While beating Joshua was still a pretty good win, AJ has been fighting soft touches for two years. 

That’s not sufficient proof for me that Dubois wins. I might be quite wrong, though.

-Malvado

Tris Dixon’s response: Dubois’ improvements are not strictly visible, though you can tell he is more comfortable with the whole fight week process this week. 

And I’m not sure there are many who favor him in the Usyk rematch, though I believe this time around it’s a far stronger match on paper.

Where there have been the most improvements in Dubois is psychologically. The confidence of sending a trash-talker like Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller packing would have helped massively. Then standing up to the bully tactics of Filip Hrgovic – who had come armed with those sparring stories – would have assisted enormously. Finally, wiping out Anthony Joshua in front of a huge Wembley crowd would have also strengthened his self-belief.

Then, looking at the Usyk rematch, not only is Dubois more experienced and surely a better, more-rounded fighter, but it’s in London and not Poland, where the first one was. The home crowd should help. Added to that, as you point out, while you can’t really subscribe to Usyk being on the downside, it is a fair assessment that after two bruising fights with a 6-foot-9, 20-stone Tyson Fury, he might no longer be at the peak of his powers. 

All this leads me to believe it will be a better fight than the first time around, though I still don’t make Dubois a favorite. That said, I would not be surprised to see Dubois do it. The body work could be key. Part of me is worried that Dubois is promising “chaos,” and that he could be picked apart, but part of me thinks that might be his best chance to win.

And if Dubois wins, there are plenty who will say he has usurped Joshua and Fury as the best British heavyweight of this era.

IMAM KHATAEV WASN’T ROBBED AGAINST DAVID MORRELL

I had David Morrell winning by one point. While Imam Khataev scored a knockdown, most of the early rounds were swing rounds. And then Morrell staged a comeback. I had the fight even going into the 10th and final round. Khataev was even winning the first half of the 10th, but then Morrell came on strong and clearly hurt Khataev. I ended up giving the last round and the fight to Morrell. It could have gone either way. I wouldn't mind seeing a rematch. 

-Lefty0616

Lance Pugmire’s response: There’s so much to unpack from that bout – Morrell’s interest in cashing in on “Turki money,” the 11th-hour positive PED result by an entity lacking the teeth to implement the two-year suspension it called for upon Khataev, and Morrell’s decision to go forward with the bout against the advice of at least one handler.

The perception was Morrell entered expecting a routine win and payday, and instead he found himself in hell – flat on his back – before relying on his wherewithal and talent to eke out the decision. Not sure he’ll revisit a bout with the Russian – although he said he would. I could easily see Morrell’s people weighing the pros and cons of such a match, and diverting him toward a path versus others.

GARY RUSSELL JNR HELD HIMSELF BACK FROM BIGGER THINGS

Gary Russell Jnr really messed up his whole career. He could have been the next big thing but never wanted to fight twice or three times a year. Now on his decline, he wants to fight (“Gary Russell Jnr wants another crack at Vasiliy Lomachenko – even in sparring”)? Money issues, most likely. I hope his brother does better. 

-MalevolentBite

Lucas Ketelle’s response: Russell might be the best podcast guest waiting to happen. Though inactivity might be the story many fans gravitate towards, it is tragedies that have defined his career in recent memory. His father, Gary Russell Snr, passed away in 2022. Russell also had a brother pass away. According to boxing writer Abraham Gonzalez of FightsATW.com, Russell is now raising that brother’s children.

Russell has served as a coach in recent memory for his brothers, and now he is returning to the ring. His reasons: Who knows? Given the gifts Russell once had, it is easy to look at his inactivity as what defines his career. During his WBC featherweight title run, he never fought more than once a year after winning the belt. That doesn’t change the fact that in recent times, things outside of boxing seem to have taken priority for him. 

LET’S TRY MAKING SHAKUR STEVENSON-FLOYD SCHOFIELD AGAIN

Like most observers, I was shocked that Shakur Stevenson did not do his usual one or two steps backward to run out of harm’s way against William Zepeda. He was there to be hit. He stood his ground and was even happy to stay in the corner against the ropes. 

What I noticed after a few rounds was this: Neither guy had enough power to bother the other guy seriously or to have them worry about being knocked out. They both landed a lot of punches, but it would seem none of them had any effect.

I wonder how Floyd Schofield would go with these two guys. In his last fight against Tevin Farmer, Schofield proved that he has serious power. I know people will say Schofield avoided Shakur earlier this year by pretending to be sick, but I just cannot help wondering, “What if?” 

-brankobugarski

Declan Warrington’s response: If a fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis can’t be made – and perhaps, more than ever, it shouldn’t be – Floyd Schofield’s an appealing alternative for Shakur Stevenson. 

But, to my mind, it’s long been a myth that Stevenson’s solely a defense-minded fighter. He takes risks when it strikes him as the right time to take risks – he did so against Zepeda, and he was entertaining when doing so against Oscar Valdez in 2022. 

But Davis – and right now, probably not even Davis – is the only lightweight I can see testing Stevenson if he’s anywhere near his best, and Stevenson would be the favorite even if Davis were at his very best. Andy Cruz, if he fulfills his considerable potential, might prove the most appealing alternative to “Tank” Davis. The Davis fight seems less likely than it has done for some time; Stevenson’s defining fights may instead have to come at 140 and 147lbs.

AMANDA SERRANO HAS NOTHING LEFT TO PROVE

Perhaps Amanda Serrano is just mentally, physically and emotionally drained and burned out at this point of her career. Which probably explains her uneven performance against Katie Taylor. I can see her retiring soon. She has nothing left to prove. She's done it all. She has made her money now and left every single inch of her soul, body, mind and being inside of that boxing ring. 

Serrano can run off into the sunset now if she so chooses to do so. She's done her time and has paid the price. Judging by her performance; Obviously, this trilogy with Katie Taylor has aged her. Both her stamina and hand to eye coordination (timing) were no longer the same in this last installment of her trilogy with Katie Taylor.​ 

-champion4ever

Lance Pugmire’s response: You’re correct in saying Amanda Serrano has nothing left to prove after uplifting women’s boxing to new heights with her persistence, grit and talent. She may indeed opt to call it a career, but if she doesn’t at age 36, more power to her. 

She’s finally earning the types of purses that are compensating for the pennies she gained while becoming a record seven-division titleholder, and the WBO’s move this week to keep her installed with its featherweight belt provides her a nice landing spot to continue on in title fights if she so chooses. 

Serrano’s speech after the third Taylor loss was a beautiful testament from the sport’s leading ambassador, and fighting on a few more times to see the mission through seems appropriate and likely.

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