Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Oleksandr Usyk Beats Dubois: Retains World Titles In Controversy

POSTED ON August 27, 2023 •   Sports      BY Lawrence Omoge

In a highly anticipated fight, Oleksandr Usyk successfully defended his world heavyweight belts against Daniel Dubois, finishing him in the ninth round. However, the triumph was clouded by allegations that Dubois knocked Usyk out with a low blow in the fifth round, leaving him unconscious for about four minutes. Although the referee called the punch a low blow, many see it as a legal and permissible body shot.

The Highly Anticipated Clash of the Titans: Oleksandr Usyk Vs. Daniel Dubois

Usyk opened the fight strong, controlling the distance and landing clean left hooks and right uppercuts on Dubois with his southpaw jab. The jab landed with greater force because Dubois had trouble adjusting to Usyk's angles. It was a move Usyk would not employ against boxers who are more agile than Dubois, and it took him off guard. Usyk clearly knows about Dubois' powerful blows and strength. In the fifth round, Dubois looked to hit Usyk on the waistband of his shorts with a right uppercut. The referee deemed the punch a low blow, and Usyk was given time to recover. Dubois and his team believed that the strike was legal and stated that they would file an official protest against the result. [caption id="attachment_8782" align="aligncenter" width="647"]In the fifth round, Dubois looked to hit Usyk on the waistband of his shorts with a right uppercut. The referee deemed the punch a low blow Dubois' blow on Usyk was counted as a low blow. | Credit: KevinQiugley[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_8776" align="aligncenter" width="638"]Dubois' controversial low blow floored Usyk for four minutes before regaining his strength Dubois' controversial low blow floored Usyk for four minutes.[/caption] Oleksandr Usyk, who had been rather calm up to the controversial hit, became increasingly heated afterwards. It was his offensive drive that sparked a spectacular second half of the fight. Despite the champion's best efforts to keep his opponent's head down with punches and straights, Dubois was able to make Usyk's fight difficult with even more bodywork. [caption id="attachment_8778" align="aligncenter" width="680"]Usyk's intense punches at Dubois Usyk's right hook sends Dubois unbalanced[/caption] In Round 8, Usyk landed the first knockout of the contest. The champion landed a devastating combination on Dubois, including a right hook and a left cross, which knocked him out. The bell rang just in time to spare Dubois from a crushing right hand in Round 9, but it was too late. At 48 seconds into the 9th round, Usyk knocked Dubois out with a short but dangerous shot and the referee counted to 10. [caption id="attachment_8779" align="aligncenter" width="692"]At 48 seconds into the 9th round, Usyk knocked Dubois out with a short but dangerous shot and the referee counted to 10. Usyk knocks out Dubois at the 9th round[/caption]

The Controversial Low Blow

The fifth-round low blow has become a major subject of contention. Dubois insisted that the strike was lawful and that he should have been awarded a knockout victory. Frank Warren, Dubois's boxing promoter, has stated that they will be appealing the loss to the sanctioning organizations due to the disputed low blow. Frank Warren began some protests leading to the challenger, Dubois insisting he was cheated out of the win, and should have counted flooring Usyk as a straight knockout victory.

In Dubois' outcry, he said:

'I didn't think that was a low blow. I thought it landed and that I've been cheated out of victory. I've been cheated out of it tonight. I'll come again.'

  https://youtu.be/NZGBwKo5vSs?si=42FkbfYW6LsDNPCg

Warren siding Dubois also added:

'It wasn't a low blow. They didn't take any points off him. I like Usyk, but that was a complete home decision. He was not fit to go on and they gave him a couple of minutes to recover.

'It should be straight and it should be above board. How long did he get to recover? The governing bodies will have to look at that and order a rematch. We will appeal what's happened here.

'It's all about a legitimate punch that stopped him and he should have won.

'Everyone wants to see the unification. If Daniel had got the result then it would have been easy to do. We will see now.'

Meanwhile after his victory was announced, the heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk expressed his thoughts:

'I feel good. I am grateful for my team, my family, my children. I love you. I'm grateful for my county and the Ukrainian army. Thank you so much.

He specifically mentioned how ready he is to face the World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight Champion, the Gypsy King, Tyson Fury

'I'm ready tomorrow. Listen, I'm ready. Next fight I'm ready to fight Tyson Fury. Will Tyson Fury? I have no idea. I can't wait to see my children and be back home. I've been training a long time. I'm a little bit tired.'

  [caption id="attachment_8777" align="aligncenter" width="682"]Oleksandr Usyk retained his world heavyweight titles Oleksandr Usyk retained his world heavyweight titles.[/caption] With this victory, Usyk has solidified himself as a top-tier boxer and opened the door for a unification battle with WBC champion Tyson Fury. Rocketparrot reported that Fury had stated his desire to fight Usyk and has declared his willingness to do it at any time and in any location.
READ ALSO
Okocha Urges Victor Osimhen to Consider Staying at Galatasaray
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

Nigerian football icon Jay-Jay Okocha has shared advice with Victor Osimhen amid growing speculation...

READ ALSO
JUST IN: Former Super Eagles Star Emmanuel Udoh Passes Away
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 2, 2025 0

The team manager of Akwa United and a former defender for the Super Eagles, Emmanuel Udoh, has been...

READ ALSO
Pyramids FC Defeats Mamelodi Sundowns to Claim First African Title
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 2, 2025 0

Egyptian football club, Pyramids FC, has made history lifting its first-ever African title after def...

READ ALSO
Super Eagles Soar to Victory as  Nigeria Clinches 2025 Unity Cup
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 1, 2025 0

The Super Eagles of Nigeria triumphed on Saturday night, defeating Jamaica 5–4 in a penalty sh...

READ ALSO
PSG Claims First UEFA Champions League Title with Stunning 5-0 Victory over Inter Milan
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 1, 2025 0

The French football powerhouse, Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, has claimed its inaugural UEFA Ch...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Champions Sports as Catalyst for Economic Growth at National Sports Festival
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

OGUN, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu has urged governments at all levels to utilize sports as a mea...

READ ALSO
Ogun Calls Athlete Protest "Impatience" Amid Unpaid Allowances
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 29, 2025 0

OGUN, Nigeria - The Ogun State Government has labeled the protest held by athletes representing the...

READ ALSO
Tottenham Triumphs in Europa League Final with 1-0 Victory Over Man United
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

Brennan Johnson's scruffy goal brought Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought to an end with a hard-foug...

OUR CHANNELS:

Ireland Deports 35 Nigerians, Including Five Children
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 8, 2025 0

The Republic of Ireland has deported at least 35 Nigerians, including five children, on a charter fl...


PDP Calls for Policy Reassessment to Alleviate Citizens' Burdens
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 8, 2025 0

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded a reassessment of all policies impacting citi...


Tinubu Tackles Long-Standing Power Sector Challenges - Minister Power
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 8, 2025 0

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the Bola Tinubu administration is actively a...


Eno's Defection Raises Concerns for PDP as More Governors Eye Exit
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 8, 2025 0

After the official defection of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, to the All Progressives Congress...


Anambra LG Poll: 31,690 PVCs Remain Unclaimed as Election Approaches
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 8, 2025 0

ANAMBRA, Nigeria - In preparation for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) for the Anambra State...


World Cup Qualifiers: Nigeria Faces Russia in Key Preparation Match
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 8, 2025 0

Russia will host Nigeria at the famed Luzhniki Stadium on Friday night, marking the inaugural senior...


Aid to Trade: US Embraces a New Economic Partnership with Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 8, 2025 0

The US is transitioning from providing aid to fostering trade in Nigeria and other countries, as sta...


Students mobilise for Malaria Contest with N1b Geneith health
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 7, 2025 0

In an effort to tackle one of Nigeria’s deadliest diseases, Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd has la...


Dangote Advocate end to health tourism, Emphasize local drug- production
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 7, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President and chief executive officer of Dangote groups, Aliko Dangote, has called...


72% of Pupils in Northern States Cannot Read - UNICEF Chief
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 8, 2025 0

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concerns over the state of youngster...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu