Usyk knocks out Dubois in 9 after low blow controversy

AFP

Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk knocked out British challenger Daniel Dubois in 9 rounds on Saturday to retain his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight boxing world titles in a battle overshadowed by a low blow controversy.

Puerto Rican referee Luis Pabon counted out Dubois after he went down 48 seconds into the ninth spherical on the open-air Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.

Dubois was additionally given a 9 rely on the finish of the earlier spherical however the important thing second got here in spherical 5 when Usyk, now with a report of 21-0, went down gasping for breath after being hit on the band of his shorts.

The referee dominated it a low blow and advised Usyk to take his time as he remained on the canvas grimacing and shaking his head, with the spherical finally persevering with.

Dubois, who lasted longer than anticipated however took some large blows with blood oozing from his nostril early in spherical 9, stated the blow was authorized.

“I’ve been cheated out of victory tonight,” he advised TNT Sports within the ring.

His promoter Frank Warren agreed with the fighter and referred to as for a rematch.

“That referee obtained it badly improper. If it is a low blow why did not he take factors off him. I like Usyk however that was a house city determination, an entire house city determination. He (Dubois) received that battle.

“They gave him a few minutes to recuperate from a reliable shot.

“The governing bodies will have to do something about it and they will order a rematch,” he added. “How can you not order a rematch on the strength of that? They have to. Justice has to be done.”

Usyk had been in charge of the battle towards a 25-year-old regarded by most as an underdog for whom victory would have ranked as a significant upset.

The Ukrainian stated he was now able to battle WBA heavyweight champion Tyson Fury if the Briton was keen.

“Will Tyson Fury? I have no idea,” stated the 36-year-old after dancing within the ring as his followers cheered.

Dubois’s probability got here after a bout to unify the titles fell aside final March.

Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine hung over the night, with seven Ukrainians on the undercard and a pre-fight video tackle from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to a stadium decked out within the nation’s yellow and blue colors.

“Tonight Wroclaw will witness something very special,” Zelenskiy advised the 40,000-strong crowd gathered on a wet night.

“Ukrainians, Brits, Poles and the entire world tonight on the eve of the 550th day because the full-scale Russian invasion has began and we hold standing and Ukraine is preventing due to the energy you may see.

“The strength of our people as mighty as Oleksandr Usyk, the strength of our friends as solid as Daniel Dubois.”