Oleksandr Usyk secured a ninth-round knockout victory over Daniel Dubois this past Saturday, enthralling a crowd of Ukrainian enthusiasts in Wroclaw, Poland.
Usyk executed a knockdown in the eighth round, paving the way for the final knockout in the ninth, thereby successfully defending his WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles at Stadion Wroclaw.
A Night of Controversy
This win came with its share of debate, as Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs), who hadn’t fought since the previous August, seemed to dominate his rival. However, in the fifth round, Dubois landed what he and his team argue was a fair body shot that knocked Usyk down. The shot was deemed a low blow by referee Luis Pabon, allowing Usyk recovery time. No count was administered, leading to resumed action in the ring.
Dubois and his management have indicated intentions to file an appeal and advocate for a rematch.
"I feel I've been robbed of a win," declared Dubois. Promoter Frank Warren chimed in, "Why was no point deducted from Daniel if it was a low blow? This reeks of favoritism. We'll certainly challenge this outcome."
Usyk, a 36-year-old from Crimea, Ukraine, marked his fifth world title victory against a British boxer, following previous wins over notables like Anthony Joshua (twice), Derek Chisora, and Tony Bellew. He now sets his sights on a colossal showdown with WBC titleholder Tyson Fury to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion in 2024.
"I’m prepared for Tyson Fury tomorrow," Usyk pronounced post-victory. "I’m all set for the next bout, but as for Fury, I can’t say."
The city of Wroclaw boasts a large Ukrainian community, offering a symbolic home-field advantage for Usyk, especially given the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which prevents the hosting of international sporting events in Ukraine.
"I owe my thanks to my family and the Ukrainian military," Usyk noted during his post-fight interview.
A video message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was played as Usyk made his ring entrance, acknowledging his time spent with Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline.
Dubois (19-2, 18 KOs) has exhibited formidable power but looked increasingly vulnerable, notably in his 2020 loss to Joe Joyce and a hard-fought win over Kevin Lerena. Usyk’s advanced southpaw techniques and tactical brilliance were too much for the 26-year-old Brit to handle, particularly during the initial rounds.
While Dubois managed to land a strong uppercut, Usyk’s rhythm picked up as rain poured down at the outdoor venue. He was momentarily stopped by what was ruled a low blow, but soon regained his composure and control of the fight.
Usyk went on the offensive in the latter stages, flooring Dubois in the eighth round and eventually sealing the win just 48 seconds into the ninth. A pinpoint straight right was all it took to send Dubois to the canvas, concluding the match in Usyk's favor.
In undercard action at Wroclaw, Aadam Hamed, son of the '90s world featherweight champion "Prince" Naseem Hamed, had a fast-paced professional debut, defeating Vojtech Hrdy in the first round of a super lightweight contest.