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: Denys Berinchyk vs Anthony Yigit
A great reception for Berinchyk, as he walks to the ring in an oversized Viking outfit, to the sound of ominous, atmospheric music...
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE: Denys Berinchyk vs Anthony Yigit
Two more bouts before the main event, we believe...
The WBO international lightweight title is on the line first, as unbeaten Ukrainian Denys Berinchyk defends against Sweden’s Anthony Yigit.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE: Yaroslav Khartsyz and Konrad Czajkowski
Yaroslav Khartsyz def. Konrad Czajkowski via unanimous decision (40-36, 40-36, 40-36).
Easy to score.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE: Yaroslav Khartsyz and Konrad Czajkowski
Round 4
Lots of activity still from Czajkowski. He’s still only 22, and he’ll learn from what is on course to be his first pro loss.
The Ukrainians’ compatriot Vasily Lomachenko is at ringside. I doubt they’ve noticed!
Khartsyz is fighting entirely on the back foot, looking for counter shots.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE: Yaroslav Khartsyz and Konrad Czajkowski
Round 3
Khartsyz is winging hooks now. He misses with a number of them, before tightening up his offence and landing one off the left wing.
Hang on! Khartsyz goes down... but it’s just a slip.
Another left hand is on point for Khartsyz, and Czajkowski is sporting some clear damage now.
One round to go.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE: Yaroslav Khartsyz and Konrad Czajkowski
Round 2
Czajkowski is fighting aggressively, and he’s not untidy, but Khartsyz is definitely the crisper boxer.
Khartsyz whips a left hook into the ribcage of his opponent, who continues to press forward.
Now Khartsyz grazes Czajokwsi with a hook to the head. Straight shots from Khartsyz now, and he’s hurting Czajkowski!
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE: Yaroslav Khartsyz and Konrad Czajkowski
Round 1
Both fighters stand orthodox. Czajkowski is making good use of his lead uppercut so far.
Both men land a series of straight shots. Decent left hook by Khartsyz now.
Czajkowski walks onto a jab but fires back with a one-two. Khartsyz tags him again, though.
A fast pace to the first round, and a very strong end to it by Khartsyz, who hurts Czajkowski with a left hook among a number of clean shots!
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE: Yaroslav Khartsyz and Konrad Czajkowski
Next, we have four rounds scheduled between lightweights Yaroslav Khartsyz and Konrad Czajkowski.
Usyk vs Dubois LIVE: Dmytro Mytrofanov vs Hamzah Sheeraz
Sheeraz: “I feel great. I knew I’d do a job on him. Did I think I’d get it done that quick? No, I thought Round 10.
“I’ve been training like mad. Loads of people wrote me off after my performance a few fights ago.”
Frank Warren: “He’s made a statement tonight. He’s come into the other guy’s backyard and done a job. I mean, that was an excellent, composed and brilliant performance. He’s a special fighter, no doubt about it.”
Some boos from the crowd for Warren, who promotes not only Sheeraz and Dubois but also Tyson Fury – that will be the reason for the boos, of course.
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