Oleksandr Usyk Knocks out Daniel Dubois in Usyk vs Dubois Bout
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."
