Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk has explained the significance for the new date for the fight between the Ukrainian and Daniel Dubois.
Usyk is the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion and had been expected to fight WBC belt holder Tyson Fury this year in their next fight.
However, negotiations have fallen through and now Usyk is going to fight his mandatory in Wroclaw, Poland.
The match-up had been expected for August 12, but has been switched to August 26, to be closer to the date of August 24 - Ukrainian independence day.
Wroclaw, like much of Poland, has a heavy Ukrainian presence which has been enhanced as a result of the war in Ukraine leading to millions of people leaving their home country.
Speaking to TVP Sport, Krassyuk said “Wroclaw is home to many Ukrainians.
“The fight will take place at the stadium for 24,000 people. We had to change the date from August 12 to August 26. Because it is Ukraine's independence day. It's the perfect date to set up a fight with Dubois. We couldn't waste it.”
Dubois is the WBA mandatory and Krassyuk submitted the winning bid for the fight, and plumped for Poland as the venue.