Oleksandr Usyk ended Daniel Dubois’ world heavyweight title dream with a ninth-round knockout in Wroclaw.
Usyk kept hold of his WBA, IBF and WBO belts with a 14th knockout win in 21 fights, much to the delight of the large contingent of his fellow Ukrainians who have resided in Poland since Russian’s invasion of their country last year.
Dubois caught Usyk with a low blow in the fifth that put the Ukrainian down but was deemed accidental. While some observers might have considered the punch to be on the belt line, Usyk was given time to recover. But Dubois sensed this was his moment and the pair traded heavy punches.
Usyk upped the pace in the seventh, forcing Dubois to take a backward step and leaving the Londoner marked for the first time. Dubois recovered in the eighth but in the final 10 seconds he was dropped to the canvas. He managed to get back to his feet as the bell sounded but there was to be no respite for Dubois and Usyk charged in again to put down Dubois for the referee Luis Pabon to wave the fight off.
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Boxing is no stranger to controversy and we had another big one served up on Saturday night as Daniel Dubois was denied a victory over Oleksandr Usyk.
The Ukrainian was allowed to ride out a body shot in the fifth before securing a stoppage win to retain his belts in the ninth round.
Recap all the action with our fight report!
Daniel Dubois’ camp demand rematch
Frank Warren has vowed to appeal Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Daniel Dubosi amid the controversy over the fifth-round ‘illegal’ low blow.
He said: “This is a boxing match and should be above board, but it was not a low blow. It’s a nonsense, a total nonsense. The governing bodies must order a rematch.”
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We certainly haven’t heard the end of this
Daniel Dubois’ camp make their fury known
Daniel Dubois’ camp unhappy
Frank Warren says the referee got it “badly wrong” and calls it a “hometown decision”.
Daniel Dubois’ trainer Don Charles furious as he asks during the interview: “How is that low?!”
Dubois adds: “I’ve been cheated, that was a win tonight. But you know what, I’ve gotta come again.”
Warren describes Usyk as a “hero” but “this is a boxing match and should be above board, but it was not a low blow. It’s a nonsense, a total nonsense. The governing bodies must order a rematch.”
He says they’ll appeal.
Daniel Dubois next up
“I didn’t think that was a low blow, I thought it landed and I’ve been cheated out of victory.”
Oleksandr Usyk gives his reaction
“I feel good. I’m grateful for my team, my family, my children, I love you. But I’m grateful for my country, Ukraine and the army. Thank you so much.
“[Low blow?] Boxing is tough, but I’m great. It’s boxing I love and I respect my opponent. But it’s boxing, it’s not ballet. It’s boxing.
“No [power from Dubois] only on my balls.
“[Tyson Fury fight?] I’m ready tomorrow. Next fight, I’m ready but Tyson I have no idea.
“I can’t wait to see my children and be back home, I miss it. I’ve been training a long time and I’m a little bit tired.”
Over to Michael Buffer…
We’ll hear from the fighters soon hopefully, first up is the official announcement of the result.
Into 48 seconds of round number nine, by knockout victory it’s Oleksandr Usyk remaining the unified heavyweight champion of the world!
Moment of controversy
Will this fight be remembered as a controversial one, after Oleksandr Usyk was allowed a time out after a low blow from Daniel Dubois? Some reckon it was a legal shot.
Judge for yourself…
That KO blow
Just seen the replay of the winning shot, it’s a hefty right-hander right through the gate that hurt Daniel Dubois. May well be where he got hit by Joe Joyce.