Dubois’ Appeal Against The Usyk Loss Fails

In some boxing news, Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Daniel Dubois remains in place after the WBA dismissed the latter’s appeal.

Usyk stopped the Brit in the ninth round in order to retain his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles. But prior to that happening, there was a major controversy in the fifth round.

Dubois dropped Usyk, who hit the canvas, but the referee deemed it a low blow. As a result, the Ukrainian was given over three minutes to recover as Dubois never looked the same.

In the aftermath of the fight, the punch did divide a large proportion of the boxing community with many questioning if Usyk should have been given his first loss.

Thereafter, Frank Warren indicated his desire to appeal the decision given that it had prevented Dubois from winning his first world title.

Warren On The Appeal

“The appeal is being lodged today. It’s being finalised and will be with them today as per their (WBA) appeal process, their (WBA) regulations. So they’ll get it today, and they’re going to have to hear it.. On September 4, the company representing Dubois emailed the WBA. They indicated that Queensberry desired to have the outcome of the bout reversed. This is due to the referee’s action for a punch they considered low in the fifth round,” Warren said 

Despite this being the case, the appeal was not successful.

WBA Responds

““On September 4, the company representing Dubois emailed the WBA. They indicated that Queensberry desired to have the outcome of the bout reversed. This is due to the referee’s action for a punch they considered low in the fifth round.

“On September 12, Usyk’s team acknowledged receipt of the appeal. Their response addressed their arguments and various considerations about the fight. After studying all the documents, the conclusions of all the instances, and the internal rules of the WBA, it was determined that the appeal does not proceed. Therefore, the decision of the fight stands with the victory and defense of the champion Usyk,” WBA stated 

The news will be welcomed by boxing fans, given that it does nothing to delay the undisputed fight with Tyson Fury. The two boxers had agreed to face each other in a bout, which would have been delayed if Dubois got a rematch.

And yet, it does nothing to detract attention away from the fact that the Ukrainian did appear vulnerable to a body shot. That may ultimately play into Fury’s hands, who does have the size advantage moving forward.

And yet, there is also an argument that the Dubois incident has provided the unified heavyweight champion with a chance to tighten up his game.