Dubois splits with Don Charles after Usyk loss, hires Tony Sims

Daniel Dubois has decoupled from head trainer Don Charles and immediately begun working with Tony Sims, as the 27-year-old heavyweight reshapes his coaching team in the wake of a high-profile setback, his IBF title relinquished in a fifth-round stoppage at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk in July. The changes, which also saw assistant coach Kieran Farrell depart and Sam Jones take on an advisory role, signal a decisive bid to reset after a tumultuous period that included questions over preparations ahead of the Wembley rematch.

Dubois’ loss to Usyk at Wembley ended a recent run in which he defeated Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, earning and defending the IBF belt in a period many viewed as his ascent to the sport’s elite. Yet the aftermath was clouded by controversy surrounding a prefight gathering hosted at his family home on fight week, a development that fed public scrutiny and speculation about team culture and discipline. In the days that followed, team changes began to unfold, culminating in the decision to part ways with Charles, a figure who had been central to Dubois’ most significant career moments, including the late 2023 Usyk bout and the title-winning...