Oleksandr Usyk angrily refuted the notion that the punch which floored him within the fifth spherical of his world title defence towards Daniel Dubois ought to have been thought-about a professional blow.
When Dubois’ proper collided with Usyk’s beltline, the WBA, WBO and IBF champion sank to the canvas and, because the referee dominated the punch a low blow, he was given loads of time to recuperate.
Usyk went on from there to drop Dubois twice and his British challenger was counted out within the ninth spherical.
Usyk used his lead southpaw proper to ship the ultimate knockdown
Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren is trying to attraction and desires the fight itself to be dominated a no contest or not less than have a rematch ordered.
The unified heavyweight champion although was clear in his view. “You are not allowed to hit a man in [that area]. Listen, boxing it’s a sport for gentlemen, it’s not a street fight. It’s boxing,” he stated afterwards.
Usyk additionally insisted he had not been sporting his shorts too excessive. “How can I be guilty in wearing shorts? The low blow comes not from wearing shorts like this but the low blow itself,” he stated, earlier than including with a smile: “I’m ready to fight without shorts.”
His promoter, Alex Krassyuk went so far as saying Dubois was intentionally concentrating on Usyk beneath the belt.
“It’s difficult to express respect for the way they treated the fight. For the way they wanted to get the victory,” Krassyuk stated.
Usyk celebrates his victory in entrance of his rapturous supporters
“Sometimes it happens, you hit someone with an illegal blow, it’s normal. When you keep doing this on purpose it means that you have some kind of dirty plan.
“Boxing is a pure artwork. It’s a pure sport and it has to keep pure. That’s why the man has to deserve his rematch.”
Usyk’s team are still hoping for the undisputed heavyweight championship clash with Tyson Fury, who holds the WBC title.
Filip Hrgovic though is his next mandatory challenger and the Croatian has also been waiting his turn.
“Hrgovic is the obligatory but when we’re going to get the unification [against Fury] we’re going to go for the unification,” Egis Klimas, Usyk’s manager, said.
“If the unification is not achieved after all Hrgovic will be subsequent.”
Whether Dubois’ low blow ought to have been allowed is the topic of a lot debate
Low blow debate
Whether the punch that put Usyk down was low or not, professional or authorized was a main speaking level after the heavyweight championship fight. It break up opinion. Here is a few of the response from the boxing world:
Liam Smith (former world champion)
“It was low. Whether his protector is high or not [which should have been pulled at the start of the fight if team Dubois felt it was high], it’s just below the waistband.
“Yes Usyk milked the time he was allowed however nobody can reply whether or not he stays down if the ref counts it.”
Josh Taylor (former undisputed champion)
“Dubois ought to be champion after that physique shot, undoubtedly wasn’t a low blow. Usyk did not like [it] and took full benefit of the time given to recuperate. Did Dubois hand over there and stop, or was it simply a nice jab?”
Lou DiBella (promoter)
“That low blow was very, very borderline. The extra I watch it, the extra it appears like a good, belt-line shot to me.
“As great as Usyk closed the show, he got away with one.”
Dave Coldwell (coach)
“Many smart fighters buy time when hurt. I believe Usyk was hurt by a legal blow. But I also believe if the ref counts, he gets up because he has to.”
Matt Christie (Boxing News editor)
“It wasn’t a legal blow. And then Usyk sat there milking it for as long as he could. And then he got up and knocked out Dubois. And then everyone lost their mind.”
Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank Jr II is dwell on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday. Book it now.
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