Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois are currently the kings of the heavyweight division with a rematch potentially brewing.
Dubois was scheduled to take on Joseph Parker in a bout that would see him defend his IBF World Heavyweight title on February 22nd, 2025.
However, Dubois was forced to withdraw from the bout due to illness, with Parker taking a risk against Martin Bakole instead, where he was successful.
As for Usyk, he last defeated Tyson Fury for the second time in December 2024, retaining the WBO, WBC, and IBO World Heavyweight titles. The win would help cement Usyk as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
With neither fighter scheduled to fight, people have begun to call for an undisputed fight between the two in a rematch. However, their first bout was subject to some significant controversy.
Low-blow in Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois fight subject of controversy
In August 2023, Usyk and Dubois would face off for the IBF, IBO, and WBO World Heavyweight titles as the Ukrainian looked to defend his crowns.
The heavyweights met in Wroclaw, Poland with Usyk being the victor. However, the bout was not a straightforward win for Usyk.
Usyk began well as he was seemingly on course to defend the heavyweight titles that he claimed from Anthony Joshua. However, this would change in round five.
A punch from Dubois would send Usyk to the canvas, however, the referee declared the shot a low blow.
The Ukrainian was clearly feeling the effects of the shot, and due to the shot being considered low, was given almost four minutes to recover.
No point was taken from Dubois as Usyk began to once again gain control of the fight.
In the closing seconds of round eight, the Englishman would be sent to the canvas. However, he would see out the round.
Then, in round nine, Uysk capitalized on the damage he dealt in the previous round, finishing his opponent.
Fans divided over Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois result
In Usyk’s title-retaining win, the biggest talking point of the fight was whether or not Dubois’ flooring punch was considered ‘low’ or not.
Although the referee officially declared the shot to be low, many fans were in disagreement.
“I just don’t see how that is low,” one fan wrote on YouTube. Meanwhile, another added, “It was a legit body shot.”
However, there were also plenty of fans who felt as if the referee had made the right call. “It’s definitely a low blow,” and “Bro kept hitting under the belt,” were among the comments online.