Podcast Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: THE W.A.D.E. Concept - Oleksandr Usyk DOMINATED & KO'D Daniel Dubois AGAIN.. Greatest Heavyweight EVER?!
Release Date: July 21, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Introduction
In this compelling episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Rick Jervis delves deep into the recent heavyweight boxing bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. Released on July 21, 2025, the episode titled "THE W.A.D.E. Concept - Oleksandr Usyk DOMINATED & KO'D Daniel Dubois AGAIN.. Greatest Heavyweight EVER?!" provides an analytical and passionate exploration of Usyk's latest triumph and his burgeoning legacy in the heavyweight division.
Usyk's Dominant Victory Over Dubois
At the heart of the episode is Rick Jervis's detailed breakdown of Oleksandr Usyk's second victory over Daniel Dubois. The fight, held at Wembley Stadium before a crowd of approximately 90,000 spectators, showcased Usyk's superior skills and strategic prowess in the ring.
Key Highlights:
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Technical Superiority: Usyk's movement, timing, and distance control were emphasized as unparalleled in the current heavyweight landscape. Jervis remarks, “[Usyk] has feet and movement and timing and distance control that heavyweight maybe has never seen, at least hasn't seen for a very long time” ([02:13]).
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Strategic Execution: Usyk effectively neutralized Dubois's aggressive game plan, which aimed to overwhelm Usyk with power and chaos. Despite Dubois's attempts to corner and land heavy punches, Usyk remained composed and countered effectively. As Jervis notes, “Usyk would slip outside the right hand and club him with the left one, he dropped him” ([05:45]).
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Fight Decisiveness: The fight concluded with a decisive knockout in the fourth round, where Usyk landed a powerful left hook that sent Dubois to the canvas. Jervis points out, “Usyk has three levels of left hand or backhand that he throws... He actually caught Dubois on the chin with it” ([13:10]).
Comparative Analysis: Usyk Among Heavyweight Greats
Rick Jervis doesn't stop at reviewing the fight; he elevates the discussion by comparing Usyk to some of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history.
Comparisons Include:
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Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson: Jervis draws parallels between Usyk's footwork and speed to that of Muhammad Ali and the explosiveness of Mike Tyson. He states, "You might look to a Muhammad Ali, for example, and that would be a good matchup" ([10:30]).
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Modern Heavyweights: Usyk's ability to handle contemporaries like Tyson Fury is highlighted as a testament to his exceptional skill set. “Usyk has figured Tyson Fury out... Usyk has power in his left hand. He walked Fury into. They wanted to move more in the second fight and Usyk outboxed him” ([06:20]).
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Legacy Consideration: The discussion raises the provocative question of whether Usyk could be considered the greatest heavyweight of all time. Jervis contemplates, “Maybe he's the greatest not only of this generation, but of all time” ([14:50]).
Usyk's Skill Set and Boxing Technique
A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting Usyk's technical abilities that set him apart in the heavyweight division.
Technical Strengths:
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Footwork and Movement: Usyk's agility and ability to control the ring's pace are repeatedly highlighted. “[Usyk] almost has every single skill set. He has the feet, he has the power, he has the volume, he has the accuracy” ([12:05]).
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Punch Variety and Accuracy: Usyk's versatile left hand, capable of straight punches, hooks, and an overhand "Ivan punch," is praised for its effectiveness and power. Jervis describes, “He can fight off the front foot, he can fight off the back foot, he can get stronger as the fight goes on” ([11:30]).
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Composure Under Pressure: Even when Dubois managed to land significant punches and attempted to turn the tide, Usyk remained unfazed, showcasing his mental fortitude. “He didn’t hit the ground or he didn’t wallow around. He just took it and kept fighting” ([07:15]).
Future Matchups and Heavyweight Landscape
Looking forward, Jervis speculates on potential opponents who could challenge Usyk's reign in the heavyweight division.
Potential Future Fights:
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Joseph Parker: Identified as the immediate next contender, Jervis asserts, “Next up should be Joseph Parker. Point blank, period” ([16:00]).
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Tyson Fury Trilogy: Although Tyson Fury has expressed interest in a trilogy fight on Twitter, Jervis argues it may not make sense, suggesting alternative matchups instead. “Usyk wants to fight Tyson Fury. I heard him say that name in the ring in a trilogy” ([16:40]).
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Emerging Prospects: Jervis also mentions the young prospect Moses Italma as a future challenge for Usyk, emphasizing the need for Italma to gain more experience first. “Moses Atama give him three more fights including the Dillian White fight” ([14:00]).
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Speculative Matchups: The possibility of non-traditional matches, such as an MMA bout with Jake Paul, is touched upon but deemed unlikely to impact Usyk's boxing legacy significantly. “Jake wants to fight AJ, and apparently that might actually happen sooner than we think” ([17:00]).
Usyk's Legacy and Era Consideration
A significant discussion revolves around the era in which Usyk is boxing and how it may influence his standing among the all-time greats.
Era Analysis:
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Historical Context: Jervis reflects on past heavyweight eras, particularly the 1980s and 1990s, questioning whether the current era will be remembered as illustrious. “His era of heavyweight won't be looked at as a great heavyweight era, which will penalize him” ([13:50]).
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Skill Dominance: Despite potential era limitations, Usyk's skill set is argued to surpass many legends, making him a formidable candidate for the greatest heavyweight title. “Usyk almost has every single skill set... He has the feet, he has the power, he has the volume, he has the accuracy” ([12:05]).
Conclusion: Usyk's Unassailable Position
Rick Jervis wraps up the episode by reiterating Oleksandr Usyk's unparalleled dominance in the heavyweight division and his potential to secure a lasting legacy as one of boxing's greatest.
Final Thoughts:
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Unmatched Skill and Determination: Usyk's comprehensive skill set and unyielding determination position him as a dominant force in heavyweight boxing. “When you are two times undisputed without ever losing... when you were the old man, the 38 and all this” ([15:00]).
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Future Prospects: With no immediate threats capable of dethroning him, Usyk's reign appears unchallenged for the foreseeable future. “I just don’t see anyone stopping him soon. Joseph Parker's the next guy” ([16:00]).
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Legacy Affirmation: Whether or not one agrees with the "greatest of all time" label, Usyk's consistent performances and strategic mastery in the ring undeniably solidify his place among boxing's elite. “Maybe he's the greatest not only of this generation, but of all time” ([14:50]).
Notable Quotes
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Usyk's Technical Mastery:
“Usyk has feet and movement and timing and distance control that heavyweight maybe has never seen...” ([02:13]) -
Fight Decisiveness:
“Usyk has three levels of left hand or backhand that he throws... He actually caught Dubois on the chin with it” ([13:10]) -
Future Matchups:
“Next up should be Joseph Parker. Point blank, period” ([16:00])
Summary:
In this episode, Rick Jervis presents a thorough and passionate analysis of Oleksandr Usyk's triumphant performance against Daniel Dubois, arguing that Usyk not only dominates the current heavyweight division but also possesses the qualities that could make him the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. Through detailed fight breakdowns, comparative analysis with boxing legends, and discussions on future matchups, Jervis makes a compelling case for Usyk's unparalleled skill set and his unassailable position in the sport's history.
