We are 21 months on from Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois, but the controversy rages on.
It was Wroclaw, Poland in August 2023 when young British heavyweight Dubois appeared to be set for world heavyweight title glory when he sent Usyk to the canvas with what appeared to be a brutal body shot in Round 5.
Referee Luis Pabon saw things differently though, and ruled a low blow, giving the champion Usyk valuable time to recover. He would roar back to win with a ninth-round stoppage to hand Dubois (22-2) the second loss of his pro career.
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The two fighters met again this week at the press conference to announce their Wembley Stadium rematch on Saturday July 19 (live on DAZN). And of course, there was only one topic of conversation as they prepare to battle for the undisputed world heavyweight championship.
Don Charles goes in hard
Dubois’ trainer Don Charles lit the blue touchpaper when he accused Usyk of ‘conning the boxing world’ that night in Poland.
He said: “Me personally I have a lot of respect for you as a fighter, what you have achieved is remarkable, but it disappoints me that you can bring the type of photos you are looking at (pictures of ‘low blow’ signed by Usyk and Dubois). Why don’t you bring a print of the actual shot that had you trembling.
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“You’ve heard of the Oscars? You should be given one for the acting you did that night, for the performance. You conned the referee, you conned us, you conned the boxing world. I’ve always maintained that and I still do.”
Usyk hits back with counter
The peerless Usyk (23-0) dealt with the accusations as he always does – head on and as a man who is confident that nothing and no man can beat him.
“I believe you are jealous (to Don Charles). You are right, I deserve an Oscar. Listen, you must teach your fighter to punch clean, but I won the fight with a jab. Enough.
“I don’t think about these people (who say he cheated) because it is just talking. Listen, boxing is my life. A lot of people said ‘you won’t make heavyweight’ or be a four-belt cruiserweight. You know what I say? We’ll see.
“For me it doesn’t matter, it is my road, just my road, blah, blah, blah. I am ready right now, not after tomorrow, right now. It is all only talk. I respect this team and I respect all my opponents, those from the UK and the rest of the world.”
What’s at stake
This one is for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world – one of THE biggest prizes in sport.
Usyk and Dubois currently hold all of the titles – Oleksandr is the WBC, WBA, WBO, Ring magazine and lineal king while Dubois is the IBF ruler.
