Usyk vs Dubois LIVE: Results after controversial low blow and knockout
Re-live updates after Usyk retained the unified heavyweight titles against the Briton in Poland
Oleksandr Usyk retained the unified heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois on Saturday, in a hugely controversial fight in Poland.
Usyk dropped Dubois at the end of the eighth round and did the same in the ninth, with referee Luis Pabon waving off the bout after the second knockdown. However, many viewers felt that Dubois was denied a genuine knockout win in the fifth round. Ukrainian Usyk crumpled to the mat after a right hook to the body by Dubois, with the punch appearing to land right on the belt line. But Pabon ruled it an illegal shot, suggesting it was a low blow.
Rules dictate that a fighter is allowed five minutes to recover from such a punch, and Usyk, 36, used four of them before resuming the main event in Wroclaw’s Tarczynski Arena. Usyk even told Pabon that he was ready to continue, but the referee urged the southpaw to take more time.
In the following rounds, Usyk turned the screw, fighting well behind his jab and increasingly crafting combinations that troubled Dubois, 25. The Briton then hit the mat after a flurry of straight shots from Usyk at the end of the eighth round, before going down again due to a jab in the ninth. Although Dubois made it back to his feet, Pabon waved off the fight.
Re-live updates from Usyk vs Dubois and all undercard fights, below.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE
Round 5
Usyk immediately lands a jab as the fifth round begins.
OH!!! Usyk hits the deck after a right hook to the body, but the referee rules it a low blow! There are boos around the stadium, and the referee tells Usyk to take his time.
It appeared to be on the belt line.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE
Round 4
Usyk covers up to block against Dubois, before circling away then landing a stinging jab.
Another jab snaps back Dubois’s head. Now a cross lands for Usyk, and a pawing lead hook.
Another cross is there for Usyk, as the crowd chants his name. A short right hand seems to stagger Usyk just a little bit, while the southpaw is throwing a jab!
A left hook misses for Dubois, then he eats a jab.
The rain seems to be making the canvas a bit slippery... You can even hear the squeaks of the fighters’ shoes.
More jabs land for Usyk.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE
Round 3
Dubois just about lands a right cross. Usyk is on point with the jab again. Dubois with a step-in cross to the chest.
Usyk tries for a hook, but he overextends. He makes amends with a nice jab, though. Usyk slips, but he soon regains his balance.
Dubois is warned to aim a little higher, after a body shot goes below the belt. Dubois backs up the champion but can’t find the mark with an uppercut.
Usyk with a good spell here, increasing the output of his jab while switching targets back and forth, too.
Dubois puts together a decent one-two. Both men miss while swinging with bad intentions.
“Much better,” says Don Charles emphatically in Dubois’s corner.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE
Round 2
Dubois lets go with a right hand and a left, but neither is quite on the mark. He lands a decent left hook to the body, though, a few moments later.
“U-syk” is the chant from the crowd. Usyk with a good left hand, then Dubois just misses with a fierce overhand!
Usyk parries a cross. Now a rapid left straight from the Ukrainian! That was so quick. Dubois is struggling with the champion’s timing so far.
Usyk covers up to block a straight shot, then he absorbs a left hook from Dubois.
Dubois with a crisp uppercut while pivoting away! Lovely work from the challenger.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE
Round 1
Usyk stands southpaw as usual, while Dubois is orthodox.
Lots of feints from both men. Usyk lands a couple of jabs early, while Dubois misses with a leaping effort of his own.
Usyk comes forward, and Dubois looks to deter him with jabs, but the champion is evading with subtle head movement.
Dubois tries a cross to the body. Lovely footwork from Usyk to set up a clean jab.
Usyk is very light on his feet. Dubois tries to curl a right hook around the champion’s guard, but it doesn’t quite land.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE
Usyk: 20-0, 13 KOs.
Dubois: 19-1, 18 KOs.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE
The British national anthem is up first, followed by Ukraine’s.
Dubois looks itching to get started.
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