Oleksandr Usyk survives scare, stops Daniel Dubois to retain titles - ESPN

Oleksandr Usyk knocked out Daniel Dubois in the ninth round on an emotional night in front of thousands of his Ukrainian fans in Wroclaw, Poland, on Saturday.

Usyk forced a knockdown in the eighth round and then finished Dubois in the ninth to finish the second defense of his WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles at the Stadion Wroclaw.

But the fight did not end without controversy.

Fighting for the first time since last August, Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) dominated his challenger but was given a painful scare in the fifth round when he was dropped with what Dubois and his team felt was a legitimate body shot. However, referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow. No count was given, and Usyk was allowed time to recover before the fight resumed.

Dubois and his team said they plan to appeal and push for a rematch.

«I didn't think it was a low blow, and I've been cheated out of victory,» Dubois said.

Said promoter Frank Warren: «If it was a low blow, why didn't he take a point off Daniel? It was a hometown decision. How can you not order a rematch on the strength of that? We will appeal what went on here.»

Usyk, 36, from Crimea in Ukraine, scored his fifth win over an English boxer in a world title fight following triumphs over Anthony Joshua (twice), Derek Chisora and Tony Bellew before beating Dubois, from Greenwich in south London.

Usyk now hopes to face another Englishman, WBC titleholder Tyson Fury, in a showdown to crown an undisputed world heavyweight champion in 2024.

«I'm ready tomorrow for Tyson Fury,» Usyk said after beating Dubois. «I'm ready next fight to fight Tyson Fury, but Tyson Fury, I have no idea.»

The Polish city of Wroclaw has a large Ukrainian population, and with Ukraine at war with Russia and unable to stage