Low-blow call helps Usyk come back to KO Dubois and keep heavyweight boxing titles

WROCLAW, Poland: After a controversial win to retain his heavyweight boxing titles, Oleksandr Usyk had a message for Tyson Fury.

“I’m ready tomorrow,” the Ukrainian declared on Saturday when asked about a long-awaited and elusive unification fight with Fury.

This was after Usyk stopped British challenger Daniel Dubois in the ninth round. That win followed a disputed low blow which gave the Ukrainian champion time to recover.

Fighting for the first time in more than a year and cheered on by fans waving Ukrainian flags, Usyk knocked down Dubois in the eighth round. Referee Luis Pabon stopped the fight when Usyk dumped him again in the ninth with a stiff right to the jaw.

The fight was halted in the fifth round for what Pabon ruled was a low blow by Dubois which sent Usyk to the canvas, where he sat against the ropes. Replays showed the punch hitting around Usyk’s belt. It was not given as a knockdown but nor were any points deducted from Dubois, and Pabon urged Usyk: “Take your time.”

The Ukrainian seemed to lack some of his usual speed after that as Dubois continued to target the body, but he recovered to knock down Dubois twice and take the win.

Dubois said he was “cheated out of victory tonight” over the low blow call. His promoter Frank Warren suggested there could be a rematch. Asked about the incident Usyk said, “Boxing, it’s tough sport, yeah? But I’m great.” He added that he respects his opponent “but it’s boxing, it’s not ballet.”

Usyk remained unbeaten at 21-0 after his second defense of the WBA, IBF and WBO belts he took from Anthony Joshua in 2021 and held after a rematch a year later.

Dubois’ win-loss record dropped to 19-2.

It was only Usyk’s fifth career fight at heavyweight and his fourth in a row