In a clash that promised boxing fans an explosive showdown, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois went head-to-head at the WROCLAW event in Poland last weekend, where Usyk knocked out Dubois in nine rounds to retain his WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight boxing world titles. But it’s not just the punches that are generating headlines; unfortunately, the match is being overshadowed by a low-blow controversy.

The controversy brews in the aftermath of Usyk vs. Dubois, as a disputed low blow sets Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren on a collision course of opinions, revealing differing perspectives on the rules and outcomes of the intense boxing clash.

Hearn and Warren dissect the Usyk vs. Dubois low-blow dispute

Eddie Hearn, known for his candid commentary, didn’t hold back when addressing the incident on IFL TV. “Again, I’m going to give it to you straight,” Hearn stated in the YouTube interview, acknowledging the split opinions among fans and adding, “The other half are saying you wouldn’t say that if he was one of your fighters.” Hearn’s transparency shows through as he dissects the blow in question, painting a vivid picture of his perspective on the legality of the punch.

Hearn made a clear-cut assertion: the punch delivered by ‘The Cat’ was an evident low blow. He delves into the rules and explains that any punch below the navel is deemed illegal unless a referee acknowledges a height difference. According to Hearn, this distinction was absent in the Usyk vs. Dubois match, and the punch landed well below the waistband, making it unquestionably illegal.

He backed his argument by saying “There is no doubt and there is so many different angles and freeze frames, he punches up I don’t know once the punch goes up he’s obviously higher than where he’s started the bottom of the fist was I don’t know, 10 inches below the waistband its hit his protector the whole fist lands below the waistband i.e the navel, its nothing but an illegal blow”, claiming that even after the punch went up, it still landed below the waistband.

Frank Warren, however, has a different take on the controversy. Warren, a veteran promoter and manager, criticized the referee’s role in the unfolding drama. “And the referee screwed it up!” Warren exclaimed, holding firm in his belief that the blow wasn’t a low blow at all. He emphasized that the punch did not hit the groin area and criticized the referee for making a meal out of the situation.

He later says, “There’s loads of photographs and loads of pictures clear as a bell that show where the punch landed. It’s not about where somebody’s shorts are or where they end; that’s not what it’s about. I don’t know how anybody, even Tony Bellews of this world — the facts are facts, and the facts are, that was not a low blow; that was a legitimate punch.”  Warren pointed to photographic evidence that, in his opinion, clearly indicated the blow had landed within legal parameters.

War of perspectives: The Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois controversy divides the boxing community

As the debate raged on, the commentator weighed in, suggesting that ‘Dynamite’ had the potential to continue despite the knockdown. Warren acknowledged but emphasized the referee’s contested decision to end the fight. On psychological support for Dubois, he echoed a view widely shared in sports: all athletes can benefit periodically.

READ MORE: “They Robbed Dubois”: Fans Express their Anger as Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois Low-Blow Debate Heats Up

In the aftermath of the Usyk vs. Dubois clash, the boxing community finds itself divided over the low blow controversy, with Hearn and Warren at odds over the interpretation of the event. This incident has sparked discussions not only about the technicalities of the rules but also about the role of referees and the psychological well-being of fighters. As the dust settles, it’s clear that the debate will continue, offering a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of the boxing world beyond the punches thrown in the ring.

What is your take on the controversy? Do you agree with Heard about the low blow, or are you with Warren? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

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