Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn has something to say on the controversy from the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois heavyweight title fight.
Usyk successfully defended his WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles against Dubois on August 26. Usyk won the fight via ninth-round knockout.
The story doesn't end there, however, as the Ukrainian bruiser was dropped in the fifth round due to a punch that was ruled a low blow. There has been a heated debate on social media over whether or not the punch was actually clean. Usyk was given time to recover and was even encouraged by the referee to use up all five minutes to rest.
Eddie Hearn was interviewed by iFL TV and he was asked about the low blow controversy. The Matchroom Boxing boss shared his honest take on the situation.
"If you punch underneath the waistband, and there is no doubt, and there's so many different angles and freeze frames," Hearn said. "He punches up. I don't know, once the punch goes up it's obviously higher than where it started. The bottom of the fist was, I don't know, 10 inches below the waistband. It's hit his protector. The whole fist lands below the waistband."
Ultimately, Hearn believes the referee made the right call.
"For me, I'm really sorry, but unquestionably a low blow," Hearn said.
Hearn went on to say that he believes even if Dubois connected a few inches higher and still dropped Usyk, the champion would've gotten up before the count of 10. With that said, Hearn also feels Usyk does not like getting hit to the body.
Dubois' promoter, Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions, has said that his fighter will appeal the loss. Warren believes the worst-case scenario should be an immediate rematch.
If you use any quotes from this article, please leave an H/T to MMAKnockout.com for the transcription.
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