Daniel Dubois' coach QUITS weeks after Oleksandr Usyk KO defeat

Daniel Dubois' coach Kieran Farrell has left the heavyweight's team weeks after his knockout defeat by Oleksandr Usyk.

Farrell joined head trainer Don Charles last year and was in his corner for his victories over Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua. Dubois then agreed a deal to take on fellow world champion Usyk at Wembley last month, only to be dropped and stopped in the fifth round of what was a rematch of their 2023 clash.

And as Dubois attempts to rebuild his career, Farrell had decided to leave. In a statement posted to social media, he said: "I have made the decision to part ways with Team Dubois. In the 18 months with DDD we’ve achieved so much including an unforgettable night at Wembley, helping DDD become world champion has been truly rewarding on a number of levels. I wish Daniel all the best going forward."

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Farrell won his first 14 fights as a professional before taking on Anthony Crolla in 2012, going all 10 rounds for the English lightweight title. But Farrell was taken out of the ring on a stretcher after collapsing with a bleed on the brain. He recovered and embarked on a coaching career before being called on by Charles. Farrell's departure comes after Dubois agreed a management deal with Sam Jones who also looks after the career of Jack Catterall.

Dubois is not expected to fight for at least six months but was urged to draw inspiration from Frank Bruno after his defeat by Usyk. His promoter Frank Warren talked up the example of Dubois’ compatriot Bruno, who lost his first three world titles fights before he finally clinched the WBC belt in his 44th bout back in 1995.

Asked how long Dubois will need out of the ring, Warren said: “About six months out. It won’t be before then. “I thought up until that (fifth) round it was a pretty good fight to watch. Daniel is obviously very disappointed. He has got to learn from it. He is only 27. I look at Frank Bruno for example, three times he fought for a world title and he got it on the fourth attempt.

“Daniel has won a world title so hopefully he will come back, but the bottom line is it was Usyk’s night and he is a special, special boxer. Daniel needs to learn from this fight, to try and learn and develop the mental attitude that Usyk has. Daniel didn’t stick to the task, he got careless, he dropped his hands and paid the price.

“For Daniel now, he’ll have a little break, think about things and he has got to resurrect himself. What level? He’s got to come back and make a statement. He needs to make a statement against a quality fighter like he did last time. There are lots of fighters over the years who have been beaten and come back even stronger. That is what he has to do. He can punch, he can hurt you and it’s just developing other aspects of his game.”