The heavyweight boxing title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois is over.
Usyk put the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles on the line against Dubois. The action was held inside Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland. This was Usyk's second defense of the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO gold. It was his first defense of The Ring championship.
As for Dubois, this was a massive opportunity to prove that his 2020 loss against Joe Joyce will not define his career. Since that loss, Dubois had gone 4-0 with all of those bouts ending via KO or TKO.
The opening frame appeared to be a feeling out process. Usyk got in some jabs. Dubois went for an uppercut that was blocked. Movement was clearly an advantage for Usyk early on. A left hand body shot was there for Usyk.
A left hand from Usyk popped Dubois in the second stanza. Dubois attempted power shots, but they were blocked. Another straight left hand connected for the champion. An uppercut was there for Dubois to Usyk's upper body.
Dubois began throwing the right hand and following it with the left in round three. Usyk continued to give Dubois different angles and connecting with the jab.
Rain began to pour in above the arena and it appeared the ring may have been slippery. Dubois landed a low punch in round five and Usyk went down. The punch was ruled a low blow by the referee. The low blow was called into question on commentary, as the punch appeared to be on the belt line. Usyk recovered and the fight resumed. Dubois pushed the pace and continued to target the body. Usyk connected with a clean left hand.
At the end of round 8, Usyk knocked Dubois down with a combination. Dubois was able to get back to his feet before the referee's count reached 10.
A right hand dropped Dubois in round nine, and this time the fight was over. Usyk retains his gold.
Here are video highlights from the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois fight:
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