Speaking to BBC Sport’s Kal Sajad, WBO interim heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley says he would like to face undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk next, following his victory against Joseph Parker.
READ MORE: What next for heavyweight division after Wardley win?
The World Legends squad has arrived.
Roberto Carlos needed a heads up on which dressing room he was in…
This year’s edition marks the start of the series, with the match scheduled to be held at Sporting‘s home annually until 2030, when Portugal co-hosts the World Cup.
Portugal and the World legends will go head-to-head in the star-studded charity match.
Luis Figo, Pepe, Nani, Deco and Ricard Carvalho are among the Portuguese legends taking part.
While the likes of John Terry, Kaka, Michael Owen, Alessandro Del Piero and Edwin van der Sar will represent the World Legends in the Portuguese capital.
Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk swaps the ring for the pitch as he ties up his boots to feature in the event.
SunSport will bring you minute-by-minute coverage of tonight’s huge clash!
LONDON — Oleksandr Usyk disagreed with the idea that he’s become one of boxing’s all-time greats, but the evidence is mounting after his fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
The victory, sealed with a crunching left hook to Dubois’ jaw, made Usyk the undisputed world heavyweight champion for a second time.
The undefeated southpaw retained his WBA, WBC and WBO belts and regained the IBF belt he relinquished just over a year ago.
The bad news for opponents — especially the British ones that he keeps beating — is that the 38-year-old Ukrainian has no plans to stop anytime soon. He said he’s still a “young guy” and named Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker as possible next foes. Jake Paul threw his own hat in the ring.
“I will continue boxing and I will continue training, but now I cannot say who my next opponent will be,” Usyk said at his press conference.
“I prepared 3 1/2 months, I’ve not seen my family, my wife. Every day I live with my team — 14 guys in one house. Now I want to go back home.”
Usyk dropped Dubois twice in the fifth — the second time with a lunging left hook midway through the round after Dubois missed with a right. The London native looked stunned on the canvas and couldn’t beat the count before about 90,000 spectators at Wembley.
Usyk, best known as a slick tactician rather than a power puncher, certainly answered questions about his age and whether he’d slow down.
He said that hook is called an “Ivan.”
“Ivan is like a big guy who lives in [the] village and work in (a) farm… it’s a hard, hard punch,” Usyk said.
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk and Britain’s Daniel Dubois trade punches during an undisputed world heavyweight boxing title fight in London on Saturday.
(Frank Augstein / Associated Press)
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) beat Dubois for the second time in under two years and this time there was no low-blow drama. It was a ninth-round stoppage in Poland with, of all things, a straight jab. But the finishing shot Saturday was a no-doubter.
Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) joined British countrymen Fury and Joshua in having lost twice to Usyk, who was an undisputed world champion as a cruiserweight before he moved up in weight six years ago.
The 27-year-old Dubois’ last fight — also at Wembley — had been a stunning knockout of Joshua last September.
He couldn’t muster the same magic, telling DAZN: “I gave everything I had. Take no credit away from that man, I’ll be back.”
The Briton gave a better showing than two years ago, when Usyk peppered him with jabs and won almost every round. Between the fourth and fifth rounds Saturday, Dubois’ corner was urging him to use a double jab but there was not time to carry out the orders as Usyk ended it shortly thereafter.
Dubois was hoping to become the first British heavyweight to hold every major belt since Lennox Lewis just over 25 years ago.
Dubois had inherited the IBF title that Usyk vacated last year when the Ukrainian chose to focus on his rematch with Fury.
Usyk said flatly “No” in response to whether he thinks he’s one of the sport’s all-time greats.
He said he’s just disciplined.
“I don’t have motivation, I have discipline. Motivation is temporary,” he said.
Usyk said Britain has been like a “second home” to him. He won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. He dethroned Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021.
“I’m very grateful for this country. Thank you so much, you’re the best,” he said.
In 2008 in Liverpool, Usyk was crowned European amateur champion in the light heavyweight category.
In his last fight at the cruiserweight level, Usyk knocked out Liverpool’s Tony Bellew in Manchester. He remains undefeated as a professional and hasn’t lost any bout in 16 years.
Unsurprisingly, Paul had his share of the spotlight Saturday. He was loudly booed during his entrance to the stadium — shown on the big screens.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer told DAZN that a fight against Joshua is “going to happen,” possibly at Wembley.
After the ring cleared out, Paul and Usyk engaged in a brief “stare down.”
Paul posted a message on his social media accounts: “Congrats to one of the greatest heavyweights of all time… I respect you a lot. Now we do an MMA match for the world.”
He added: “First AJ then OU. Book it.”
Frank Bruno was among the VIPs. The London native won the WBC heavyweight belt 30 years ago at the old Wembley Stadium when he beat Oliver McCall. He was knocked out by Mike Tyson six months later.
Usyk entered the stadium with an Eeyore stuffed donkey from the “Winnie the Pooh” books tucked into his jumpsuit. He brought it to past fights as well, apparently given to him by his daughter.
Maguire writes for the Associated Press.
TYSON FURY is champing at the bit to get back in the ring — and it is all thanks to his new training partner.
The 36-year-old Gypsy King retired after losing back-to-back heavyweight world title classics to Ukrainian hero Oleksandr Usyk, 38.
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But Fury confirmed he will return next year, with a long overdue duel with fellow Brit icon Anthony Joshua and an Usyk trilogy fight on the cards.
And the 6ft 9in showman has been inspired by his eldest boy, 14-year-old Prince, taking up the family trade and chasing him along Morecambe Bay.
Fury has been to Turkey for an IBA show and was at Wembley last night for Daniel Dubois and Usyk’s undisputed world heavyweight title decider.
He said: “It’s hard to let it go because it is something I enjoy. When I am around boxing it makes me miss it more. I try to only train three times a week now but it’s hard . . . very hard.
“And when people see me at the shows they assume I am coming back anyway, so it’s hard to walk away.
“I have had ground-breaking offers and everyone knows that I do not work for cheap pay.
“My eldest lad just did his first six-mile run with me and I am very proud of him because, before that, he couldn’t manage only two miles. So he is coming on well.”
Usyk and the 27-year-old Londoner Dubois managed to sell out the home of football, but even their two-bout rivalry would be dwarfed by the fantasy fight between Fury and 35-year-old AJ.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Fury’s larger-than-life persona — be it hosting daily workouts on Instagram during lockdown or starring in the WWE — has made him the sort of crossover star that boxing needs.
And he reckons there is still a desperate lack of superheroes left in the sport who can offer fight fans a 12-round escape from reality.
Fury explained: “It’s not just a problem in heavyweight boxing, it’s a problem for all of boxing.
“I don’t want to insult anyone but boxing is entertainment and it is also showbusiness. People come home from working hard at their 9-5 job — which they don’t even like — and they want to put their feet up on a Saturday.
“They want to have a couple of beers, invite a few of their friends around and be entertained.
“But when you turn the TV on and see two boring characters who just stand there and don’t say s**t, they will think, ‘What am I watching?’
“If I went to an event and it was total s**t, I would never go back again or switch it on again.
“But if something is good, I’ll book and go again. And it is the same in boxing.
“There’s always a lack of charisma and characters. Every era has a couple of great characters and there are always a few great fighters who nobody remembers because they weren’t colourful enough characters.”
When the Fury and Joshua fight finally happens, Britain will stand still and everyone will pick a side.
The media events and face-to- face interviews will be worth the pay- per-view fee alone, even before a punch is thrown.
With the Saudis backing both men, it would generate hundreds of millions of pounds and would probably be a double header at Wembley and Riyadh.
And — following years of failed negotiations and rows over pulling power and value — Fury says they will be able to thrash out a fair deal.
He joked: “I would accept 90 per cent of the purse considering he’s coming back off a devastating knockout loss and I am coming off of two s**t losses!
“But, honestly, the business side is irrelevant. If we do the fight it will be a level playing field of 50-50. I wouldn’t want to take advantage of him.”
And what about Fury’s long-suffering wife Paris, who tragically lost a baby boy six months into her pregnancy in the week building up to the first Usyk loss last year?
The Gypsy King revealed: “I have spoken to Paris in depth about it and she has said that she will support me with whatever I want to do.
“But that might just be because she is sick of me and wants me out of the way!
“Or it’s because we have been the real Bonnie and Clyde since 2005 and she will support me with whatever I want to do. She’s my ride or die.
“If we die, we die. And if we live, we live — that’s our sort of behaviour.”
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If it wasn’t already clear then it certainly is now. Usyk is the standout heavyweight of his generation.
Usyk has not just cleaned out his biggest rivals – Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Dubois – but he has gone all the way round the block and defeated each of them twice.
He dethroned Joshua in just his third fight as a heavyweight to become a unified champion and it has been an upward trajectory ever since.
The easy path is not one Usyk likes to explore.
After becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era by beating Fury in 2024, Usyk had the option to defend that status by accepting a mandatory defence of his IBF strap against Dubois.
However, he elected to vacate that title in order to pursue a rematch with Fury and record a second successive victory, before circling back to reclaim the IBF title from Dubois at Wembley.
“What he achieved today, it was designated by him a little bit more than a year ago,” Egis Klimas, Usyk’s manager, said.
“His decision was to vacate the title and let Dubois beat someone, and then to fight for a third time for undisputed. That was his plan a year ago. He is not just a good boxer but he is good mentally.”
Usyk is head and shoulders above any active heavyweight, with Fury offering his greatest test, while Joshua and Dubois are several rungs down the ladder.
Oleksandr Usyk nicknames the punch that saw him knock out Daniel Dubois to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight world champion.
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There were whispers Joshua and Fury would be at ringside for Usyk v Dubois but there was no sign of either man when the first bell rang.
Joshua had surgery on his elbow earlier this year and is not expected to fight before November at the earliest. He has been open about talks with Riyadh Season over a new fight deal and has said he Fury sits atop his wishlist.
Fury is technically still retired but seems to be moving towards a comeback in 2026.
However, Fury, 36, called out Usyk for his return instead of what seems an obvious fight with Joshua.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, told BBC Sport: “You never know what Fury is thinking. When everyone in the world wants to see AJ v Fury, he starts calling out Usyk.
“They are in similar positions where they have both lost twice to Usyk, the third fight isn’t really commercially interesting to the money men or the fans.
“I understand both guys would like a third crack at the cherry, but in terms of public desire AJ v Fury remains the biggest fight in boxing.”
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk knocks out Daniel Dubois of United Kingdom to unify the heavyweight title belts in London.
Oleksandr Usyk has cemented his status as the outstanding heavyweight of his generation with an emphatic fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois in their undisputed world title bout at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Victory on Saturday saw Ukraine’s Usyk extend his unbeaten professional record to 24 fights as the WBA, WBC and WBO champion added his British opponent’s IBF belt to his collection.
Usyk dominated the opening four rounds and early in the fifth, dropped Dubois to the canvas.
Moments later, he finished the fight in decisive fashion after a trademark left hook left his British rival unable to beat the count one minute and 52 seconds into the round.
It was the second time Usyk, at 38, some 11 years older than his opponent, had defeated Dubois after a ninth-round stoppage success in Krakow, Poland, in 2023, where the Briton was ruled to have landed an illegal low blow in the fifth round.
Lennox Lewis, the last British boxer to be the undisputed world champion in 1999, forecast before Saturday’s fight that Usyk would face a vastly-improved Dubois, saying: “Dubois was a baby in the sport and now he’s a man…You’re not going to see the same Daniel Dubois from 18 months ago.”
But after Usyk was roared into the ring by a huge contingent of supporters, many of them waving Ukraine’s national flag in a 90,000 capacity crowd at Wembley, best known as the London base of England’s national football team, it was largely one-way traffic as their hero conducted a ruthless masterclass against local favourite Dubois.
“Thirty-eight is a young guy, remember,” Usyk told DAZN in the ring after dropping to his knees in celebration. “Thirty-eight is only [the] start.
“I want to say thank you to Jesus Christ. I want to say thank you to my team and Wembley, thank you so much! It’s for the people.
“Nothing is next. It’s enough, next, I don’t know. I want to rest. My family, my wife, my children, I want to rest now. Two or three months, I want to just rest.”
Asked about his next opponent, Usyk, who has already twice beaten former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, added: “Maybe it’s Tyson Fury.
“Maybe we have three choices, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Maybe Joseph Parker. Listen, I cannot now say because I want to go back home.”
Dubois insisted he would return to the ring, saying: “I have to commend him [Usyk] on the performance, I gave everything I had. Take no credit away from that man, I’ll be back.”
Dubois stone heavier than Usyk at weigh-in
Daniel Dubois is seeking revenge and to make history when he fights Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday at Wembley stadium.
The Londoner aims to add Usyk’s WBA (Super), WBO and WBC world titles to his collection and become the first British heavyweight to become undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.
Dubois, 27, was stopped by the unbeaten Usyk in 2023 but has won three fights in a row since then, collecting the IBF world title on the way.
With Usyk seemingly in the dying embers of his career aged 38, can the Ukrainian prove a point against a re-energised Dubois? Or will the Englishman announce himself as the best heavyweight in the world?
BBC Sport asked the world of boxing for their predictions.
“Usyk to win anywhere between rounds eight to 12, but I think he may have to get off the floor for the first time in his career.
“Dubois is at an all-time high with confidence. It will take Usyk six or seven rounds to beat that out of him, but by round eight or nine he will be done and then it’s about whether he can continue to absorb what Usyk is dishing out after that.”
“Dubois has a real shot here. He has great confidence right now and sooner or later Father Time may get Usyk. Patriotism aside I think Usyk will drain him and stop him between rounds nine and 12.”
Usyk v Dubois 2
Saturday, 19 July
Wembley Stadium
“We all know Daniel is a better fighter than he was the first time he fought Usyk and people are talking about his run of form – but no one is talking about Usyk’s run of form. His last five victories are two against Fury, Dubois and two against Joshua.
“The guy is incredible and I’ve given up backing against him. Usyk wins a comprehensive points decision.”
“Dubois is coming up against a genius and an all-time great. The equaliser could be age – Usyk is now 38 and this is a young man’s game but I am going Usyk on a wide points win.”
“Dubois has to get that jab going, push him against the ropes and start combinations – don’t waste punches and stay eager. Remember he is the true heavyweight and needs to press him.
“Usyk is the number one guy, a great boxer and a great champion. When you come you have to come with that in mind and be first and be last with your punches.”
“If Dubois lands anything similar to that body shot again and follows it up a little bit better, I think he’ll get the victory and a stoppage.”
“I’m going to have to go for Usyk on points. I want Dubois to win but Usyk is a generational talent, his skill and IQ is just so special.”
‘I’m unstoppable and in the prime of my life’ – Dubois
“Usyk is a master and Dubois is full of confidence. I lean towards Usyk on this one. Perhaps a late stoppage or on points, but I’m not ruling out Dubois – he’s a man on a mission.”
“I have to go Usyk, how can you bet against him? Dubois is a great kid who has come on leaps and bounds. He’s in form and a terrific fighter, but Usyk is just a great.”
“Dubois has all the tools to win but Usyk is a tricky customer, which he has shown time and time again. Dubois is a guy who potentially has the best chance to beat him but you have to go with Usyk.”
“Usyk will beat Dubois. The last fight Dubois was very unlucky not to win. If Dubois can get on him early doors, but he’ll be very aware of that, Usyk, and I think he’ll step his game up this fight.
“He beats Dubois now, and then he’ll be in the history books. He’s in the history books anyway but what I mean is he will go down as the one of the greatest heavyweights that has ever been.”
“Usyk wins because he’s just that much smarter. I don’t rule out Dubois hitting him on the chin but he’d have to do that repeatedly and I don’t sense signs of decay yet in Usyk.
“Usyk isn’t dependent on being strong and fast – he’s a smart fighter – I think he could hide the decline for a few fights and get away with it.
“He doesn’t get hit on the chin often enough to be in trouble and that won’t happen in this fight. I think he wins after eight or nine rounds.”
“Dubois has shown big improvements in his last few fights, But I’d say Usyk’s skills and experience will be too much for him, I think Usyk wins that one on points.”
“I have to go with Usyk, he’s class isn’t he? Dubois has come on leaps and bounds, he’s on a roll but you have to favour Usyk. But who knows with the way Dubois has been going recently.
“I saw the low blow and I have to say it was borderline, I think Usyk milked it a bit but it was close and who knows what could have happened on another day.”
“I’m going against the grain but I think Dubois wins. He has looked incredible in his last couple of fights, he’s fearless, technically a very good boxer and his power is exceptional.
“I love Usyk and his legacy but from the moment this fight was announced I thought it was going to be Dubois.”
Usyk has so much ‘respect for UK fans’
“It all depends if Usyk has anything left and the Fury fights haven’t taken too much out of him. The question mark for me is Father Time. If time hasn’t caught up with him then he beats Dubois again. If not, we could see a changing of the guard.”
“Logic says it will be repeat for the pound-for-pound king Usyk who still looked at his supreme best in the return with Fury – and is brilliant in rematches – but Dubois will never have a better chance and is in the form of his life – mentally and physically at 27.”
Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk hit the scales in London before their undisputed heavyweight title fight on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
READ MORE: Body shots and ‘dirty’ tactics – how does Dubois beat Usyk?
Follow live text and radio commentary from 20:00 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
Oleksandr Usyk has had a whirlwind year at the top of boxing’s heavyweight division and will face another formidable challenge when he takes on Daniel Dubois in a much-anticipated rematch.
In May 2024, Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world when he beat Tyson Fury in a fight for the ages, but had to vacate one of his belts a month later.
The man who took that belt was his other great rival in Dubois, a fighter he defeated in a controversial bout two years ago, and who is now challenging the undefeated Ukrainian for the rest of his world titles in a spectacular unification showdown.
Here’s what you need to know about Usyk vs Dubois 2:
The fight is scheduled for Saturday, July 19.
Usyk and Dubois are expected to undertake their ring walks at 9:45pm local time (20:45 GMT), which is 4:45pm ET and 1:45pm PT. The fight will begin shortly thereafter.
The famous Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom will host the blockbuster fight.
For boxing matches, Wembley Stadium can hold up to 96,000 spectators.
Al Jazeera’s live text commentary and photo coverage will begin at 17:00 GMT on Saturday, July 19. We will bring you all the pre-fight talking points, analysis and build-up before bringing you Usyk-Dubois 2 updates live.
This whole fight card will be available live worldwide exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view.
The clash will be an undisputed championship fight, and the titles on the line will be Usyk’s WBC, WBA and WBO belts, as well the IBF title held by Dubois.
It’s just the second undisputed heavyweight championship bout of the past two decades.
The record-breaking prize money for the rematch is reported to be $203m.
In May 2024, Usyk won the world’s first undisputed heavyweight championship in 25 years, an unprecedented feat in boxing’s four-belt era, when he beat Fury by split decision.
However, having decided not to defend the IBF crown against then-interim champion and mandatory challenger Dubois, Usyk vacated the belt in June and was left with the WBC, WBA and WBO belts.
Usyk is widely expected to defeat Dubois a second time, according to most leading bookmakers who are quoting the Ukrainian at 1/3 on, or in metric terms, paying out $1.33 for the win.
Odds on a Dubois victory currently range from 5/2 ($2.50) to 13/5 ($2.60).
Dubois was born in Greenwich, London, where his father began training him as a boxer at an early age. A home-schooled child, Dubois loved boxing and later joined boxing clubs in southern London.
Also known as Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois, the boxer turned pro at the age of 19.
The 6ft-4inch (1.93-metre) boxer has gained the reputation of being a giant-killer, having defeated fellow Briton Anthony Joshua and Olympic bronze medallist Filip Hrgovic of Croatia.
Usyk is a 2012 Olympic gold medallist from Ukraine who had previously won the AIBA World Boxing Championship in 2011.
The 6ft-3inch (1.9-metre) tall fighter has spent time on patrol at home during Russia’s war on Ukraine.
He turned professional in 2013, aged 26 and made a steady rise in the cruiserweight division, before switching to heavyweight in 2019.
Saturday’s fight gives Usyk the opportunity to become the undisputed champion of the world for the third time, having also held the title in the cruiserweight division in 2018. The southpaw is the third man ever to have held the title in two weight divisions.
The Ukrainian remains unbeaten in his professional career.
The 27-year-old challenger, despite being 11 years younger than Usyk, has more career professional fights than his opponent.
The pair fought for the first time in Wroclaw, Poland in August 2023, when Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round, but only after controversially getting time to recover from what was adjudged a low blow by Dubois in the fifth round.
It sent Usyk to the canvas, where he sat against the ropes. Replays showed the punch hitting around Usyk’s belt, and Dubois still maintains he was robbed.
“I want to get my rematch,” Dubois said of Usyk, “and put the wrong right.”
The 38-year-old said that he is ready to “become undisputed again,” referring to the reunification of all heavyweight titles he held after beating Fury on May 18, 2024.
“[I am still boxing] because Jesus gives me the opportunity, and I take this,” Usyk said in an interview on host broadcaster streaming platform DAZN. “Now my goal is to become a three-time undisputed. Listen, I love boxing, training hard. I guess it’s my last two fights, with Dubois and next, I don’t know who.”
“I love my British opponents,” Usyk added. “I think Daniel is a good athlete, a good boxer, and has good skills. He has had great wins in his last three fights, is a great fighter. I think Daniel deserves [the rematch].”
Dubois has pledged to exact revenge on the Ukrainian fighter.
“I can’t wait to put him [Usyk] to sleep,” said Dubois.
“I’m on fire now. I’m just pent up. I’m ready to go. It’s going to be a bloodbath … in the ring on the night, he’ll be doing a funny dance when I hit him.
“We don’t care about no body shots. We’re going to knock him out on July 19.”
The Brit has repeatedly stated that he’s a “10 times better” fighter than he was in his first fight against Usyk and is ready to “unleash hell”.
The British fighter’s trainer accused Usyk of “conning the boxing world” at the pre-fight news conference in April.
Referring to Usyk’s 2023 fight against Dubois, Don Charles accused the Ukrainian of being hurt by a legal body shot and said his fighter should have won the encounter.
“The actions you did that night, you’ve heard of the Oscars? You should’ve won an Oscar,” Charles said.
“You conned the referee, you conned us, and you conned the boxing world.
“You pride yourself as a God-fearing man – ‘Thou shalt not lie’ – so I question what kind of God do you worship? The God has summoned you for our son Daniel Dubois to get revenge on you.”
Usyk shrugged off accusations of cheating and fakery and said he was ready to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for a second time.
“I’m ready right now,” Usyk told a news conference at Wembley Stadium.
Usyk, smiling, said the Oscar would be coming. “You must teach your fighter to punch clean,” he added.
“It’s just talking. For me, it doesn’t matter.”
Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, said after that photographs of the blow were produced, with the Ukrainian’s camp accusing Dubois of up to 20 low blows, Usyk could not be accused of cheating.
“Don’t call my man a cheat,” he said. “He didn’t cheat. He had an opportunity to rest and he rested … tell it to the referee, not my man.”
In the penultimate fight of the night, the UK’s Lawrence Okolie will defend his WBC silver heavyweight title against former world champ Kevin Lerena of South Africa.
In the light heavyweight classification, Poland’s Daniel Lapin will put his IBF intercontinental and WBA continental belts up for grabs against another local fighter, Lewis Edmondson.
The first bout is scheduled for 5:40pm local (16:40 GMT).
The first encounter between Usyk and Dubois was in Wroclaw, Poland, in August 2023.
It was a fight not many gave Dubois a hope of winning, but he floored the reigning champion in the fifth round.
The referee, though, immediately called a low blow and Usyk was controversially given time to recover. The Ukrainian had the mostly partisan crowd on his side, but Dubois’ team at ringside were furious with the decision.
The call is still being debated and was a major talking point at the announcement news conference.
Once the fight resumed, Usyk quickly went to work, slowly chipping away at Dubois’ energy reserves.
By the eighth round the Briton looked exhausted and frustrated when he tried to fend off a flurry of shots. He hit the canvas, managed to get to his feet, but was then dropped again in the ninth round and couldn’t beat the referee’s count.
Aside from the controversy over the low blow, Usyk was the better fighter with a more controlled display. He landed more shots, 88 to 47, and was the more accurate puncher with 25% landing compared to 16% for his opponent.
But will Dubois target the body more in the rematch to come out on top?