Leading up to his bout against Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk found himself amused by the speculations surrounding the match. A significant talking point was the fact that Dubois's coach, James Ali Bashir, previously trained Usyk for about three years during his professional career. Many believed that Bashir would share insights into Usyk's vulnerabilities with Dubois. However, the match in Wroclaw, Poland, saw Usyk, aged 36, emerging victorious by stopping Dubois in the ninth round, successfully defending his WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO titles. Although Usyk's performance was dominant, there was a tense moment in the fifth round. Dubois managed to land a right-hand body shot that sent Usyk to the canvas. But referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow, offering Usyk a recovery period, a decision that sparked debate among spectators. Post-match, Usyk expressed his views on Bashir's association with Dubois. While he acknowledged Bashir's reputation and integrity, he felt that his former trainer's knowledge about him was superficial. Usyk conveyed that, despite their professional relationship, Bashir didn't truly understand him on a personal level. Usyk then humorously mentioned that if anyone truly knew him, it would be his wife, not his mother, emphasizing how close their bond is.

“James Ali Basher is a great person,” Usyk told SecondsOut. "He’s a famous person. He’s a good man. But he wouldn’t teach Dubois any secrets because he knows none of them. Though we worked together for long time, he couldn’t [teach] me [anything personally]. “He didn’t know me [personally]. That’s why he couldn’t tell that corner any secrets that I have because he just doesn’t know them. I will tell you the person who knows me real, who knows me like I am. I wouldn’t tell you it’s my mom, but it’s my wife. She knows who I am.”

Joseph McNally has disclosed that the forthcoming rematch between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. has not undergone VADA testing. This highly anticipated match is set to occur on Saturday at the AO Arena in Manchester, England and will be broadcasted exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office. Smith triumphed over Eubank in their initial encounter in January at the same location, ending the fight within four rounds. The rematch, initially slated for June 17 and later July 1, will now take place on September 2. The topic of doping has dominated the discussions leading up to this fight, especially given the recent doping controversies surrounding heavyweight Robert Helenius and super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner. McNally, Smith's trainer at the Rotunda gym in Liverpool, commented that Smith hasn't undergone any doping tests by the agency in preparation for his bout with Eubank Jr. In response to McNally's claims, Eubank Jr., aged 33, took to social media to support clean athletes in the sport, prior to defending his 32-3 (23 KOs) record against Smith. McNally retorted by questioning Eubank Jr.’s reference to getting tested by the UK Anti-Doping agency, stating he hasn't seen any VADA involvement in this bout's preparation.

“Chris [Eubank Jr.] made a comment, he was giving the likes of Conor Benn and Robert Helenius and others a bit of sh!t because he’s just had a p!ss test,” McNally said in an interview with ESBR Boxing. Eubank Jr., 33, took to Instagram to slate the names McNally had mentioned, stating that “there’s still clean athletes representing the sport we love”, ahead of putting his 32-3 (23 KOs) record on the line against the Liverpudlian again. “Listen,” McNally continued, “I ain’t seen no VADA for this one. “VADA hasn’t walked into my gym and tested Liam Smith once so what’s [Chris Eubank Jr.] bragging about getting tested by [UK Anti-Doping] for?"

It's worth noting that Baumgardner faced controversy last month following her title defense against Christina Linardatou, and Helenius entered his match against Anthony Joshua on short notice after securing a victory in Finland just a week prior. McNally expressed frustration at the perceived inadequacies of the UKAD testing procedures. He emphasized the seriousness of the sport and how crucial clean competitions are, given the stakes and potential risks involved for the athletes.

“UKAD’s testing is a load of sh!te and it is disheartening and we’re seeing it a lot more because they’re getting caught. “It’s a f------ travesty for the sport because people’s lives are on the line in there and it just shouldn’t be happening.”

Last weekend in Poland, Daniel Dubois clashed with Oleksandr Usyk for the WBA Super Champion title. While Dubois sought the victory, he was halted in the ninth round, allowing Usyk to hold onto his title. Dubois' camp is now looking into contesting the result, pointing to what they perceive as an unfairly adjudged low blow. Despite this contention, many in the boxing community doubt that their appeal will gain any traction. Traditionally, once the primary fighters within the WBA face off, the 'Regular' title is considered redundant. However, a recent twist has come to light. Only days after Usyk's victory, the WBA declared that, due to an ongoing legal dispute, Mahmoud Charr (formerly known as Manuel Charr) would be reinstated as the Regular Champion, placed just below Usyk. This announcement explained that Mahmoud Charr had been lobbying for this reinstatement since 2021. Charr lost his "champion in recess" designation in December 2021 because he hadn't competed within the designated timeframe and couldn't finalize a match with Trevor Bryan. But after two years of legal wrangling, the WBA has now reinstated his status. The WBA has established conditions regarding this decision. Firstly, Charr has to compete against Jarrell Miller, who holds the 5th position in the division, before October 14. After this bout, the winner will then face another contender, as determined by the WBA.

“As part of a court settlement, the World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has reinstated Mahmoud Charr as regular champion of the organization’s heavyweight division. After the fight in which Oleksandr Usyk defeated Daniel Dubois, the Ukrainian had remained as the only heavyweight champion. However, the organization is forced to make the decision to reinstate Charr as regular champion in order to continue with the normal operation of the body. Charr lost his status as champion in recess in December 2021, after not having fought in the scheduled time and after the impossibility of agreeing a fight with Trevor Bryan. After two years and a judicial process in between, the WBA has decided to reinstate the regular champion status to the boxer. After a thorough study by the WBA on the best way to execute this move, the WBA set two key conditions. First, Charr must face Jarrell Miller, 5th rated boxer of the division before October 14. And second, the winner of this matchup must face the next available contender, which will be determined by the body.”

It's worth noting that since 2017, Charr has only had three bouts, with none of his opponents ranking in the WBA’s top 15. Similarly, the directive for Charr to compete against Jarrell Miller has raised eyebrows. Miller is infamous for his past doping controversies, particularly leading up to a canceled bout with Anthony Joshua. Like Charr, Miller's recent record is sparse, with only three fights since 2018 and none against high-ranking WBA heavyweights. To conclude their announcement, the WBA asserted that their decision aligns with the best interests of the boxing community.

Roy Jones Jr. has shared his insights on Chris Eubank Jr's tactical choices leading up to his rematch with Liam Smith. Many critics believed Eubank's defensive approach in their first meeting was a misstep. Speaking with Sporting Post, Jones expressed that Eubank could increase his odds against Smith by adopting a more aggressive strategy. Jones elaborated on the thought, explaining that Chris recognized the flaws from their last duel. He conveyed hope that Eubank would heed Bomac's guidance to adopt a more confrontational style in the rematch. Highlighting Smith's direct approach in the ring, Jones suggested that Eubank needs to match that intensity and bring back his old combative spirit. Jones also pointed out that merely relying on boxing techniques might not be sufficient against a fighter like Smith, especially if one hasn't been committed to the boxing craft for a lifetime. He mentioned how even formidable fighters, like Canelo, eventually decided to confront Smith head-on after some initial defensive moves. Jones felt that Chris has an advantage in physical strength and was taken aback by Smith's knockout in their previous bout, suspecting that an elbow injury on Eubank's part might have influenced the outcome.

“Chris knows what he has to do in this fight, he knows what he has to do, and he knew after the fight with Liam what he should have done.” “Hopefully he will listen to Bomac, and hopefully Bomac will get it across to him that you have to go out there and make it a fight and you can’t be moving around and boxing because Liam’s a straightforward guy who is going to bring it to you.” “I think he wins the fight. You don’t need to box Smith, you need to go out there and fight. You need to be the old Eubank and get down, right, dirty and fight.” “You can’t box Liam Smith if you haven’t been a boxer your whole career. Even Canelo boxed for a little while, then met him head on. I never thought Liam could hurt Chris, which tells me the elbow had a lot to do with it, so if he meets him head on, he’s the bigger stronger fighter.”

The rematch is eagerly awaited, especially after the surprising outcome of their first match. Given the heightened stakes, there's speculation that the defeated party might contemplate retirement.

Over the past weekend, the boxing community remains divided over a controversial call in the Daniel Dubois versus Oleksandr Usyk bout. Dubois delivered a punch that seemed to hit the lower region of Usyk's belt, causing him to drop to the floor. Referee Luis Pabon instantly deemed the punch unlawful, giving Usyk an extended recovery time of over three minutes. Jack Reiss, a respected referee known for officiating the first Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder title bout, shared his perspective on low blows during the DAZN Boxing Show. He explained that using the belly button as a reference for a low blow is problematic since it varies in position among individuals. The accurate indicator is the hip line. A punch is legal as long as most of the glove doesn't fall beneath this line.

“Everybody’s belly button is different, some are lower and some are higher. So you can’t use the belly button. The hip line is the low blow point – the belly button has nothing to do with it. A low blow is any time the majority of the gloves is below that hip line. On the hip line is legal, and it doesn’t become illegal until a majority of the glove starts to get below it. This is why we identify the hip line for everybody before a fight – this is the line, don’t hit below this.”

Following the disputed punch, Usyk took charge of the match, gradually weakening Dubois and securing a win in the ninth round. Looking forward, Filip Hrgovic is positioned as the primary contender for Usyk's combined world titles. Hrgovic has firmly stated that he will not stand down to let a match between Usyk and Tyson Fury take place, although such a bout seems improbable at the moment.

Popular heavyweight Dave Allen has helped both Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury prepare for fights in the gym. In fact, the Doncaster man even retired following a particularly bruising sparring session with the Ukrainian, although that devision has since been reversed. With his latest win over Daniel Dubois, Usyk has called out Fury once more for an undisputed fight. Speaking to Boxing UK, Allen said that his team should hold out for that or nothing.

“I think Usyk wants Fury for definite. I think he wanted around this time period. Usyk knows he’s ain’t getting no younger. He is a naturally smaller man – I think he’s coming to the end of his tether. I think the best Usyk has probably been and gone now. But the kind of fella he is, he wants to fight for undisputed. I think he’ll be pushing for the Fury fight. It’s probably the biggest money as well. I think, at this point now, there are many heavyweights out there that will fancy their chances with him. Naturally smaller guy, 37 next. If I’m looking after Usyk, I’m saying it’s Fury or nothing at all at this point.”

As for a prediction, Allen is backing Fury to win a competitive fight after watching Usyk’s outing against Dubois.

“We have to appreciate Usyk while he’s here, because I don’t think he’ll be there for too much longer. I think he’s come to the stage where he’s there for the beating.” “It’s difficult. Tyson’s not getting any younger. He’s doing his Netflix documentaries, fighting Ngannou next. If he doesn’t put Ngannou in a couple rounds we’re gonna say he’s not the force of old. You’re only as good as your last fight.” “Usyk is there for the beating for definite … I guess we’ll come back to this conversation after the Ngannou fight, but as it stands Fury has to be favourite. He’s bigger, he’s stronger, he’s a good body puncher. Usyk is a genius and, at the very least, he’ll give anyone in boxing history a lot of problems.”

Unfortunately for fans, a fresh mandatory has been called for the Ukrainian, who holds three of the four major belts in the heavyweight division. The IBF’s Filip Hrgovic is now next up, and has no intention of waiting for Fury to get a shot first.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed his belief that Oleksandr Usyk displayed a subpar performance against Daniel Dubois, despite securing victory in each round. In Poland, the Ukrainian defended his WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles against the 25-year-old British boxer. Following a contentious low blow ruling in the fifth round, Usyk rebounded to achieve a stoppage win in the ninth round. After the knockdown, Usyk seemed to adopt a more aggressive approach, deviating from his usual emphasis on movement, a style less observed since his transition to the heavyweight division. Speculation arose regarding whether this change was due to frustration over perceived low blows or a desire to avoid body shots from Dubois. Hearn, however, offers an alternate perspective. During an interview on the Matchroom YouTube channel, Hearn questioned whether Usyk was truly in optimal fighting condition for this title defense. Hearn observed what he considered sluggish footwork and signs of fatigue from the outset of the match. He even suggested that Usyk appeared to have aged in the ring. Hearn pondered whether the pressure of fighting in his home country might have affected Usyk, given his limited experience in such circumstances. Hearn raised further questions about the possibility of an injury or physical ailment impacting Usyk's performance. He found it puzzling that Usyk, who typically favors a more mobile style, chose to fight in a smaller ring. Hearn speculated that such a choice could indicate an issue with Usyk's movement or strategy, which is unusual given his history. Despite these concerns, Hearn acknowledged that Usyk did manage to win every round. In a subsequent conversation with Boxing Social, Hearn expressed surprise upon learning that the ring size was 20x20, not as small as he initially believed. He maintained his stance that Usyk's performance appeared less polished and dynamic than in previous outings.

“I thought Usyk didn’t look himself from the first bell. I thought his feet looked slow, I thought he looked tired, I thought [it was] like he’d aged. Was it the pressure of fighting pretty much at home? He hasn’t done that very often at all? Was he injured? … Why use a small ring? Whenever I see a fighter that like to move use a small ring it tells me they’ve got a problem. It tells me they don’t wanna move a lot. Which is very unusual for Usyk, cause if you’re fighting Daniel Dubois I think you’d like a bigger ring. “Was there an injury? Was there an operation? I don’t know. Listen, he still won every round.”

Hearn's observations could potentially offer insight to future opponents, starting with IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic. The Croatian heavyweight has shown no willingness to step aside to accommodate a Tyson Fury undisputed fight. This opens the door for challenging bouts on Usyk's horizon.

Zhilei Zhang, the current WBO interim-heavyweight champion, held a press meeting in New York City with Chinese media representatives to discuss his upcoming rematch against fellow Olympic silver medalist Joe Joyce. The Zhang vs. Joyce rematch is set to take place on September 23rd at the Wembley Arena in London, Joyce's hometown. The event will be broadcasted live on ESPN+ in the US, Douyin in China, and TNT Sports in the UK. Zhang provided a brief update on his training camp, emphasizing that he's well-prepared for the challenge. He mentioned that while Joyce is known for his activity and power, his sparring partners, such as Alonzo Neal, Dmytro Bezus, and Mariusz Wach, offer a diverse range of skills that have helped him in his preparation. Neal, a 2023 National Golden Gloves finalist, showcases impressive punching output, Bezus, with a record of 10-1, possesses significant power, and the veteran Mariusz Wach brings a substantial size advantage to the training camp.

“People say Joyce is so active and hits hard, but when it comes to sparring, I am working with Alonzo Neal, who throws more punches than Joyce, Dmytro Bezus who hits harder than Joyce, and Mariusz Wach, who at 300 pounds is bigger than Joyce.”

In April, Zhang claimed the WBO interim-heavyweight title by defeating Joyce in the sixth round. Zhang's left-hand shots caused severe swelling on Joyce's right eye, leading the ringside doctor to stop the fight in Zhang's favor. Although Zhang had aspirations of moving forward to challenge WBC champion Tyson Fury after this victory, Joyce triggered a rematch clause in their contract, delaying Zhang's pursuit of Fury temporarily. Zhang expressed his readiness to face Joyce again, displaying confidence in his ability to make history once more. Beside Zhang was his trainer, former light heavyweight and cruiserweight Shaun George, who indicated that the training camp is progressing optimally. He assured that they're finding the right balance between intensity and pacing. George emphasized Zhang's determination and adaptability to whatever Joyce brings to the rematch. Zhang also shared his thoughts on a recent heavyweight title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. The fight stirred controversy due to a disputed punch that knocked down Usyk, which was ruled a low blow by referee Luis Pabon. Zhang sympathized more with Usyk's situation and criticized Dubois for not capitalizing on the opportunity to press his advantage.

“I watched the fight and that punch was a little bit low. It landed below Usyk’s navel. After the fight resumed, Dubois did not use his physical advantages and Usyk was able to regain his rhythm. Dubois basically quit. I think Dubois needs to work on his heart.”

In one of boxing's most memorable upsets, a young 22-year-old Mike Tyson, then the undefeated heavyweight champion, was shockingly defeated by a vastly underestimated Buster Douglas in Tokyo. Now, 33 years later, Tyson finds himself intertwined in another potential epic surprise, albeit from a different perspective. He's mentoring former UFC champion Francis Ngannou as he prepares for a monumental boxing match against the undefeated WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury. Making his boxing debut, Ngannou (with a 17-3 MMA record and 12 knockouts) is being guided by Tyson in what could be a historic match-up. Should Ngannou defeat Fury (boasting a 33-0-1 record with 24 knockouts), Tyson believes it could eclipse his own stunning loss to Douglas in terms of magnitude. Discussing the upcoming fight on The Jim Rome Show, Tyson emphasized Ngannou's power.

“Fury faced a knockdown early in his career, but he's yet to meet someone with Ngannou's power.”

Emphasizing Ngannou's prowess, Tyson mentioned the fighter's agility, speed, and dedication to representing his nation.

“Tyson’s never been in the ring with somebody that can punch this hard. “[Ngannou] asked me to go all-out aggression. He’s moving his head. He’s getting it together, and he’s determined to do this stuff for his country, his people, his patriotic pride. This is really interesting. I’m very excited about doing this.” “[An Ngannou win over Fury] – that would be a bigger upset than Douglas-Tyson.”

Drawing parallels to the boxing world, Tyson recalled the unexpected performance of Conor McGregor, an MMA fighter, who managed to go almost the distance against boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.

“Considering McGregor's impressive performance against someone as skilled as Mayweather, why can't Ngannou challenge Fury?”

In a chat on his podcast, Hotboxin', Tyson praised Ngannou's aptitude and potential after their training sessions, noting the fighter's swift learning curve.

“This is what you have to look [at] when you think about him fighting Tyson Fury — Conor McGregor went 11 rounds or 10 rounds with Floyd Mayweather, the greatest fighter of his generation, if not all-time. If that can happen, why can’t [Ngannou] give Tyson a capable fight?” Tyson wondered. “Floyd Mayweather is the greatest fighter in the world as far as technique and style. So why doesn’t he have a chance if McGregor did well and did a great account of himself? Everybody respects him for his effort. Nobody said, ‘He’s a b!tch.’ No one is saying that. “[Ngannou and I] worked out and I saw a lot of good qualities. He pretty much just needs to shake off some of the cobwebs and then it’s full speed ahead. You learn pretty quick, too, which I was really impressed with.”

As for Ngannou, he recognizes the importance of strategy. Citing renowned trainer Teddy Atlas's wisdom on having an efficient "delivery system", Ngannou believes that possessing power, like his knockout punch, is one thing, but effectively deploying it is crucial. He remains confident, with Tyson's guidance, about finding the perfect strategy to challenge Fury.

“If I land a bomb on Tyson Fury, I think the lights turn off for him,” Ngannou said. “But now the problem is how to sharpen the weapon properly to land that bomb, because it’s good to have a bomb, but the great Teddy Atlas always says, ‘delivery system.’ You have to have a proper delivery system. That’s something that’s always stuck in my mind. You have to have a bomb, that’s cool, but how to have a good delivery system to aim and shoot [is more important], and that’s why Mike Tyson is here.”

Their bout, a highly anticipated match-up, will take place on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, available on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

A significant moment in the boxing world occurred when Daniel Dubois, a British heavyweight contender, seemingly floored reigning Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk in Poland with a powerful body punch. However, referee Luis Pabon deemed the punch, which landed right on the belt line, as a low blow in the fifth round. Instead of being declared a knockout, the fight resumed. After the controversial decision, Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) managed to regain his composure. He subsequently brought down Dubois (19-2, 18 KOs) in the eighth round and officially stopped him in the ninth, retaining his WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO titles. Later on, Dubois commented on social media, praising Usyk for being a formidable opponent but jestingly remarked on the decision, implying he felt hard done by it. Dubois' coach, Don Charles, expressed greater displeasure, insinuating that some underhanded tactics played a part. He conveyed profound disappointment with the referee's decision, believing Dubois had secured a knockout. Charles emphasized Usyk's religious displays, urging him to uphold honesty in the sport, implying the champion may have played a part in influencing the controversial call.

“I’m devastated. Devastation is an understatement. The fighter, Daniel Dubois, was robbed of his moment. The team, the family, family friends, the country — robbed last night,” Charles told IFL. “We knew we had to end the fight in six rounds, which we managed to do in the fifth round. That was a knockout. That wasn’t even a TKO — it was a KO. “There is only one God. Usyk is always seen making cross signs and praying. I want to know which God [he] is worshiping because you don’t lie in the name of God. “Usyk, stop cheating and be fair. If you’re a religious man like you claim, do not cheat in the name of God.”

However, Usyk responded, clarifying that had the referee counted, he would've continued the fight. He also criticized those who resort to unfair means for victory, emphasizing the importance of integrity in the sport.

“For me, 100%, if the referee started to count, I would have definitely jumped up,” Usyk told Boxing King Media. “I would be on my feet. It would be hard for me to recuperate and come back to my normal state, but there is no doubt that I would be up. “It’s not a good thing when people try to get the victory using those dirty tactics. You cannot win by being dirty. You have to be clear."

Charles wasn't done with his criticisms, specifically targeting referee Pabon. He questioned Pabon's ability to officiate high-level matches, suggesting that if one can't perform their job correctly, they should be reassigned to lesser roles.

“If you’re not good to do your job, you should get demoted,” said Charles. “If you’re not competent, you should be demoted to a lower level because he’s not good enough to referee at that level.”

At the post-bout conference, heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, holder of the IBF/WBA/WBO titles, humorously suggested a street fight as a rematch against Daniel Dubois. This follows Usyk's triumph over Dubois with a technical knockout in the ninth round at Stadion Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland. A central controversy stems from the fifth-round body shot knockdown that was deemed illegal by the referee, Luis Pabon. Had it been ruled legal, Dubois could have emerged as the new champion. Replays suggest that Dubois's right hand might have landed legally on Usyk's midsection. Following this, Usyk was allotted a full five-minute recovery. Observers noted he seemed more winded than in pain from a typical low blow. During the press conference, Usyk humorously suggested;

"I'm up for a rematch tomorrow, not with boxing gloves, but a real street fight."

Dubois' trainer, Don Charles, expressed his disappointment, saying:

"Usyk pretended he was hit low and the referee bought it. We genuinely believe that we were robbed of a legitimate win."

Promoter Frank Warren voiced similar concerns, pointing out that the stadium went silent when he suggested showing the controversial moment on the big screen. Charles further mentioned the need for technology, like VAR, to prevent such controversies, drawing parallels with its successful use in football and tennis.

"We've invested a lot in this, and feeling cheated doesn't sit right. We should be celebrating with the belts right now."

Warren remained optimistic about the possibility of an official rematch.

"We're not here to complain, we just want fairness. I'm confident that a thorough review will either label the fight a 'no-contest' or call for an immediate rematch."

When questioned about the potential location for the rematch, Warren humorously remarked that if they win the bid, he'd consider hosting it in his garden.

The heavyweight division witnessed another round of intense discussions and debate following this weekend's fight. Daniel Dubois, despite being perceived as the underdog, stepped into the ring against Oleksandr Usyk with the ambition to upset expectations. The backdrop to this fight was Dubois' 2020 loss to Joe Joyce, where many believed he "quit," overlooking his fractured eye socket and subsequent torn ACL. The match might have ended in Usyk's favor, but the focal point remains the fifth-round event, where Dubois seemed to have scored a knockdown which was not officially recognized. The specific sequence saw Dubois capitalizing on a moment, slipping past an Usyk hook, delivering a powerful punch which landed on Usyk's waistband, resulting in Usyk going down. The referee, Luis Pabon, immediately ruled it a low blow. This decision has become a central point of contention. Post the punch, Usyk took significant time on the canvas, partly voluntarily to recover, and partly because Pabon was insistent. When action finally resumed, it culminated in a ninth-round stoppage in favor of Usyk. Reactions post-fight were divisive. Some commentators and fans argue that Dubois was unfairly deprived of a knockdown. However, suggesting that Dubois was denied a title win might be a stretch. While it's evident that Usyk was on the ground for a duration longer than ten seconds, it's challenging to determine if the decision to stay down was influenced by the referee's call. Former junior middleweight titleholder, Liam Smith, shared his perspective on Twitter, indicating that while Usyk did utilize his recovery time, it remains uncertain if he would have continued if the punch was counted as a legal knockdown. Dubois has experienced both sides of referee decisions. His knockout victory against Kevin Lerena was considered debatable due to the perceived hasty stoppage by the referee. The Dubois-Usyk bout will inevitably join the annals of boxing debates. Despite the official outcome, Dubois has emerged with heightened support. A significant number of fans, fighters, and experts now view him as an uncrowned champion or, at the very least, someone who was deprived of a fair chance at the title. Such disputes, while not conclusive, can amplify a boxer's appeal and bargaining power, especially in a sport driven by public sentiment.

Oleksandr Usyk recently defended his title by halting Daniel Dubois in the ninth round, solidifying his ambitions of becoming an undisputed champion across two divisions. However, the fight was not without controversy. Usyk faced a knockdown in the fifth round from what the referee judged to be a low blow, a point of contention for Dubois' team which they believe justifies another bout. Following this win, Usyk is keen to return to discussions with Tyson Fury, another top contender in the heavyweight category. However, previous attempts to negotiate a bout between the two had failed. Currently, the primary barrier to such a match-up is Filip Hrgovic, an undefeated fighter from Croatia, who stands as the mandatory challenger by the IBF. Kalle Sauerland, Hrgovic's promoter, explained to Boxing Social that although they previously allowed discussions for an Usyk-Fury match to proceed, they now insist on Hrgovic getting his due opportunity. Notably, Hrgovic had been in line for a decisive bout since early 2021, and his team believes they've waited patiently for long enough. In response to Usyk's recent victory over Dubois, Sauerland has approached the IBF, expressing his eagerness to schedule the fight soon, ideally by December. He highlighted that stepping aside doesn't make sense especially since Fury already has a fight planned within the next two months. Team Usyk has not yet commented on these developments.

“Two, three weeks ago now we got letters – us and Usyk – saying that if we won our McKean and they wont he Dubois fight that the negotiations would be ordered immediately from the IBF. Let’s not forget that Hrgovic was confirmed for the final eliminator in February 2021. We’re talking a couple years now, and we didn’t really throw down the book too much when everybody was expecting the Fury-Usyk to get made. We were relatively patient, but now It’s got to Hrgovic’s turn.” “This morning we have written to the IBF to inform them that we are fit, willing and able to enter that bout. There’s no interest on our side to step aside for anything. I don’t know what we’d be stepping aside for, because Tyson’s contracted to fight in seven weeks. This fight should take place in December.”

Tony Bellew didn't hold back when addressing the controversy surrounding the Usyk vs Dubois bout. While Usyk emerged victorious in the ninth round against Dubois, many felt the outcome could have been different had a specific incident been judged differently. The crux of the debate centers on Dubois' attempted body shot in the fifth round. There was a huge amount of controversy over whether Dubois’ attempted body shot in Usyk vs Dubois bout was low or not. After landing the punch, Usyk went down, but the referee ruled it a low blow. Consequently, Usyk was permitted over three minutes to recover and regain his footing in the match. However, Dubois and his camp were confident that the punch was above board. If acknowledged as such, the Usyk vs Dubois fight's conclusion could have swung in Dubois' favor. But Tony Bellew begs to differ. In a tweet, he shared an image illustrating the placement of Usyk’s belt, which sat below his belly button or the "naval." Bellew's accompanying message was clear:

“Anything below the naval is classed as low in boxing!” Bellew said. “That’s not my opinion that’s a FACT! That’s the rules! Your shorts shouldn’t cover your naval cos if they do the belt can be hit! This picture says a thousand words!”

Bellew didn't stop there. He took it a step further by insinuating Dubois gave up during the match. This wasn't the first time such sentiments were directed at Dubois. In a 2020 face-off with Joe Joyce, Dubois was deemed to have "quit" in the tenth round, choosing to take a knee and not beat the count due to a severe orbital injury.

“Spew it once and you’ll spew it again is also another fact!”

Bellew commented, referencing the earlier incident.

"Daniel Dubois should be unified heavyweight champion right now."

This sentiment echoed loudly among TNT analysts, who were firm in their belief that the punch thrown by Dubois, which knocked down Oleksandr Usyk in the Usyk vs Dubois clash, was legitimate and not a low blow as declared by the referee. Throughout the Usyk vs Dubois match, Dubois seemed to struggle, with Usyk displaying superior skills and strategy. However, the dynamics shifted momentarily when Dubois delivered a punch to Usyk's body, causing the reigning champ to hit the canvas. Usyk immediately asserted that the blow was beneath the belt, prompting the referee to grant him the standard five-minute recovery window for such incidents. Usyk, showcasing his southpaw finesse, soon reestablished his dominance and triumphed over Dubois in the ninth round of the Usyk vs Dubois match, retaining his four world titles. TNT's commentator and ex-world champ, Carl Frampton, expressed a contrary view, stating emphatically that the punch was above board.

"When I saw it, it didn't look low to me. That was not a low blow. That was a body shot. He should have been counted out. Daniel Dubois should be unified heavyweight champion right now. I still don’t think it was [a low blow]. He has taken a body shot, he has thought I can get away with pretending this is low. He took a rest because he has been hit by a body-shot."

Richie Woodhall, a former WBC super-middleweight titleholder, too, voiced his disagreement with the call, indicating potential scrutiny towards the referee's decision, especially from Dubois' side.

"It was a borderline shot and there'll be a lot of fingers pointed at the referee tonight, especially from the Dubois camp."

Frank Warren, Dubois' promoter, demanded a rematch, denouncing the declared low blow.

"This is a boxing match and should be above board, but it was not a low blow. It’s a nonsense, a total nonsense. The governing bodies must order a rematch."

Warren also questioned the time Usyk was given to recover and emphasized appealing the decision, hoping for a chance at the title unification that "Everyone wants to see." The Brit’s trainer, Don Charles, was furious, as he watched back the replay and raged: “How is that low? It’s there to be seen, how is that low?! He continued shouting: “How is that low?! Look at it, look at it! Play it again! There! How is that low?! Look at it!”

In a triumphant beginning to his professional career, Aadam Hamed, the son of boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed, secured a first-round victory over Vojtech Hrdy on the Usyk vs Dubois undercard. The young Hamed showcased his power early on, leading to Hrdy, who seemed overwhelmed, retreating to the corner where his coach ultimately decided to throw in the towel. Although it was Hamed's debut in the ring, having no prior amateur or professional experience, he demonstrated remarkable composure. He used a "good solid jab" to push back Hrdy, a boxer who entered the match with a record of three professional fights (standing at 1-3 post-match). Hrdy soon found himself cornered, vulnerable to Hamed's powerful punches. With no sign of fighting back, he was safeguarded by his trainer's quick intervention. It's evident that more challenging bouts lie ahead for Hamed, and while this rapid match didn't reveal much about his skill set, he showed tremendous promise in handling the spotlight. Throughout the preparation and on the match day, Hamed exuded confidence, seemingly unaffected by the magnitude of the event. His demeanor even drew parallels with his father, displaying a similar aura of unwavering self-assurance. Speaking after the contest, he said:

"What a night man, I felt like I put on a performance and it's only going to get bigger and better from here."

When asked about the pressure of carrying his father's name, he added:

"They [the press] are always going to say what they want. I just need to do my best to take no notice and do me. I believe in myself, I believe in my ability, this is just a stepping stone for where I want to get to."

In the Usyk vs Dubois world title clash between British boxer Daniel Dubois and Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, the Usyk vs Dubois fight's outcome has sparked intense debate in the boxing community. The controversy primarily revolves around an incident in round five when Dubois seemed to have significantly hurt Usyk with a body shot. Instead of being counted as a successful hit, the referee ruled it as a low blow, granting Usyk additional time to recover. Many, including Dubois himself, believed the shot was legitimate. Upon watching the replay, it appeared the punch might have landed right on the belt line, challenging the referee's earlier decision.

“I don’t think that was a low blow. I think that landed, and I’ve been cheated out of victory tonight. What else can I say?”

Dubois commented during his post-fight interview, clearly frustrated with the turn of events. Frank Warren, Dubois' promoter, was equally incensed, stating he would appeal the fight's result. In his conversation with talkSPORT, Warren asserted:

“He won that, if he had been allowed to carry on, he would have won. We will appeal this. It’s a liberty.” This sentiment was echoed by Dubois' coach, Don Charles, who felt they were "conned out of that."

The debate over the so-called "low-blow" shot has been the dominant talking point since the fight. When the incident occurred in the fifth round, Usyk seemed to struggle significantly, taking more than three minutes to gather himself and return to the ring. This delay allowed him to regain his rhythm, further igniting the debate over whether the extended recovery period affected the fight's outcome. While Usyk managed to retain his unified WBA, WBO, and IBF world titles, the narrative has been overshadowed by the round five controversy. The overall performance showcased both boxers' skills and resilience, with Dubois displaying significant heart and determination. Despite Usyk’s victory, the low blow debate has left a cloud over the result, fueling discussions and disagreements in the boxing community. As the aftermath unfolds, many await the decision on the appeal and how it might impact future bouts. The controversy ensures that this fight will be remembered not just for the skills displayed in the ring but for the intense debates outside of it.

In Wroclaw, Poland, a dramatic turn of events saw Oleksandr Usyk recovering from an unexpected fifth-round fall to defeat Daniel Dubois by the ninth round in the Usyk vs Dubois bout, preserving his WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF heavyweight titles. Despite the controversy, with referee Luis Pabon considering a right hand to Usyk's body from Dubois as a low blow, many believed the hit was potentially lawful after inspecting replays. Though Dubois didn't face any point deduction for the contentious move, he couldn't fully exploit the situation. By the ninth round, Usyk had regained his momentum, bringing Dubois down with a well-placed right hand. Post-Usyk vs Dubois match, Usyk remarked, "I feel good," expressing his gratitude towards his family, team, and notably, the Ukrainian army. He humorously commented on the sport, saying:

"Boxing is a tough sport but I'm great. I love boxing. I respect my opponent but it's boxing, it's not ballet. Do I rate his power? No. Only in my balls."

Usyk vs Dubois match occurred shortly after Ukraine's Independence Day, resonating deeply with Wroclaw's extensive Ukrainian community, many of whom have sought refuge from the aftermath of Russia's recent invasion. The event was further heightened by a heartfelt video message from Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ending with a poignant “Glory Ukraine.” For Dubois, the environment was challenging, being far from his Greenwich residence. However, he appeared calm, entering the Stadion Wroclaw with Bob Marley's "So Much Things To Say" playing in the background. The atmosphere was electric, with Usyk's entrance almost causing the stadium to reverberate with excitement. The Usyk vs Dubois match began with Usyk slightly overshadowing Dubois, leveraging his skill to evade Dubois' counters and land hits. The game's momentum shifted notably in the fourth and fifth rounds, with the rain affecting Usyk's performance and the debated low blow, which had him down in apparent pain. The subsequent rounds saw both fighters delivering powerful shots, but Usyk's punch in the ninth round sealed Dubois' fate. With this victory, the stage is set for Usyk to potentially confront WBC champion Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia in the coming year. Usyk Says:

"I’m ready tomorrow. I’m ready. Next fight I am ready to fight Tyson Fury but does Tyson Fury want to? I have no idea. But I can’t wait to see my children and my family. I’m a little bit tired."

Eager to reclaim his position at the pinnacle of the heavyweight division, Deontay Wilder asserts that the division lacks its vibrancy and significance without his presence. Wilder's dominance in the heavyweight realm spanned several years. He initially secured the WBC title through a points victory over Bermane Stiverne in 2015, retaining it until his defeat at the hands of Tyson Fury in their second encounter in 2020, after their initial bout ended in a draw in 2018. During this period, Wilder faced limited challenges, dispatching opponents like Luis Ortiz, Chris Arreola, and Eric Molina with emphatic knockouts. However, his momentum was halted by successive knockout losses to Fury. In his most recent outing, Wilder swiftly secured a first-round knockout triumph against Robert Helenius in October 2022. Since then, discussions have predominantly revolved around a highly anticipated showdown between Wilder and Anthony Joshua, slated for Saudi Arabia in 2024. During an interview with ESNEWS, Wilder confirmed his standing in relation to the winner of the upcoming clash for the WBA, WBO, and IBF world titles between Oleksandr Usyk and mandatory contender Daniel Dubois.

“Yep, I’m definitely the mandatory for that, so all doors are shut. You know, close all sides. I’m the mandatory for the WBA, and I’m the mandatory for the WBC, I’m number two in the IBO and number three in one of the other ones.”

Wilder then expressed his renewed pursuit of championship belts, saying:

“So I mean I’m right there in all the ranking so it’s just a matter of time before me being back on top and having all the belts. I’m just sitting back and relaxing, enjoying life and letting all these other fighters do things because as we know, and this is true fact, the heavyweight division has been fucking dead, bro. Now you don’t feel no electricity at all.”

With the upcoming Usyk vs. Dubois fight this weekend, there's a hopeful anticipation for a fresh and exhilarating chapter to unfold in the heavyweight narrative.

Oleksandr Usyk is gearing up for his second defense of the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois in Poland tonight. Interestingly, former opponent Derek Chisora has made a bold prediction ahead of this clash. Usyk faced Chisora in only his second heavyweight fight after transitioning from the cruiserweight division, where he had held the undisputed championship. The fight against Chisora was a closely contested affair, with Usyk ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory. However, Usyk recently stirred the pot by suggesting he intentionally made the fight appear more challenging than it was, aiming to entice Anthony Joshua into a title bout. Chisora responded to Usyk's comments during an interview with Boxing King Media. He expressed his puzzlement over Usyk's remarks, highlighting that after their bout, Usyk's team acknowledged Chisora's victory. Despite this discrepancy, Chisora maintains a sporting attitude about the decision.

“I don’t know [what to make of those comments] because when we left the ring the whole Usyk team said that I won the fight, even he knew I won the fight and then they gave it to him, but it’s okay, we don’t mind.”

When asked to provide a prediction for the upcoming Usyk vs. Dubois fight, Chisora refrained from selecting a winner but emphasized one certain outcome: a knockout.

“Somebody is getting knocked out.”

While many observers in the boxing world might not be giving the young British fighter, Dubois, more than a slim chance against the highly skilled two-division champion Usyk, Dubois draws confidence from his impressive knockout record. With 18 knockouts in 19 victories, his punching power is unquestionable, even though he suffered a lone defeat against Joe Joyce in 2020. Notably, there won't be a rematch clause in this fight, as Dubois holds a mandatory challenger status. This implies that the victor will be free to defend their titles against a new contender. Among those contenders, the IBF's top-ranked fighter, Filip Hrgovic, is next in line. Yet, boxing fans are undoubtedly hoping for a showdown between the winner and Tyson Fury, which could potentially pave the way for an undisputed champion in the heavyweight division. Mark your calendars for the Usyk vs. Dubois match on August 26, scheduled to take place at Poland's Tarczynski Arena. The event will be available for live viewing in the UK on TNT Sports pay-per-view.