Oleksandr Usyk can still call himself a heavyweight champion.
In his latest outing, the Ukrainian boxer would defend his WBA, IBF and WBO titles against the very dangerous Daniel Dubois. The championship bout took place in Wroclaw, Poland on Saturday.
Usyk and Dubois went to war with each other over the course of nine rounds. The champ overpowered Dubois in the later stage of the match, knocking him down in rounds 8 and 9. Dubois could not continue after being downed in 9 and Usyk was victorious.
While Dubois didn’t get his hand raised, he did flip the script when he dropped Usyk himself with an alleged body shot in round 5. But, referee Luis Pabon dubbed the punch as a ‘low blow’ instead.
THE LOW BLOW FROM DUBOIS 😳 pic.twitter.com/T2gaGiJKXC
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) August 26, 2023
Despite the ref’s ruling, many have questioned the strike, believing it was actually legal. Dubois is also in protest.
“I didn’t think that was a low blow,” Dubois said in his post-fight interview. “I thought that landed, and I’ve been cheated out of victory tonight. What else can I say?”
What the ENTIRE boxing world is talking about right now 🤨#UsykDubois pic.twitter.com/OlTEyhzsee
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) August 26, 2023
Inside the winner’s circle once again, Usyk has called for a super-fight with Tyson Fury.
“I’m ready tomorrow!” Usyk said. “Next fight with Tyson Fury!”
That will have to wait though as Fury takes on former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou this fall.
Official result: Oleksandr Usyk defeats Daniel Dubois via KO in round 9 (0:48)
Check out the highlights below:
Daniel Dubois walking into the Lion's den! LET'S GO!!! 🇬🇧#UsykDubois pic.twitter.com/3lad3mcaNl
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) August 26, 2023
Unreal scenes for Usyk as he makes his ring walk! 🇺🇦#UsykDubois pic.twitter.com/HcznSJ9qlr
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) August 26, 2023
Usyk felt that one! 😳#UsykDubois pic.twitter.com/tutXvUIWnQ
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) August 26, 2023
Usyk celebrates a ninth round stoppage win over Dubois! 🇺🇦 🏆#UsykDubois pic.twitter.com/fxhqS9yH2y
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) August 26, 2023
"I'm ready tomorrow! Next fight with Tyson Fury!" – @usykaa 🏆 🇺🇦#UsykDubois pic.twitter.com/8qXbcaY7mE
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) August 26, 2023
THIS was declared a low blow 👀#UsykDubois pic.twitter.com/INf7HyGSff
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) August 26, 2023
