“I’ve Been Cheated Out Of Victory.” Oleksandr Usyk Scores Controversial Victory Over Daniel Dubois

By: Sean Crose

Things acquired attention-grabbing this night in Poland. Although favored IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk defeated British contender Daniel Dubois, as anticipated, issues ended up being slightly controversial resulting from a fifth spherical shot which was both a low blow or an ideal physique punch, relying on the way you take a look at it. While there’s little doubt the 21-0 Usyk was doing effectively at Wroclaw’s epynonomously named Stadion, the 19-2 Dubois was having his moments. A proficient physique puncher, the underdog set Usyk to the mat in spherical 5. The referee dominated that Usyk was dropped by a physique blow. Fair sufficient. That, nevertheless, wasn’t the top of issues.

Indicating he was able to proceed combating after having gotten again to his ft, Usyk was subsequently knowledgeable by the referee that he was going to take some extra time to recuperate earlier than returning to the battle. To say issues have been unusual could be an understatement. First off, the blow from Dubois appeared to have not less than partially landed on Usyk’s beltline. The low blow ruling, nevertheless, might be open for debate. The incontrovertible fact that the referee actually stored Usyk from returning to motion was unquestionably odd. It additionally helped rework the battle into one thing controversial.

Still, there was no denying that Usyk was capable of break down his man afterward. Towards the top of the eighth, Dubois was put to the mat. He was capable of rise up and survive the spherical, nevertheless it was solely a matter of time. Indeed, the battle didn’t make it previous the ninth spherical as a virtually good left put the spectacular challenger down and out. Now comes the controversy and repercussions. Should the referee have dominated the fifth spherical shot to the physique a low blow? And what was with that prolonged recess? It will not be straightforward, and even doable, to search out solutions, however there’s little doubt the questions will preserve being raised.

“I didn’t think it was a low blow,” Dubois claimed afterward, “and I’ve been cheated out of victory.”