Daniel Dubois’ trainer aims ‘cheat’ jibe at world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Daniel Dubois’ trainer has branded Oleksandr Usyk a “cheat” after the South Londoner’s shot at the unified world heavyweight champion ended in failure.

The 25-year-old challenger from Greenwich was stopped in the ninth round in Wroclaw, Poland on Saturday night.

But the big talking point came in the fifth round when Usyk went down from a Dubois body shot which referee Luis Pabon deemed to be low.

The Ukrainian was allowed four minutes to recover, spending a fair portion of that time still on the canvas.

Dubois, his promoter Frank Warren and trainer Don Charles were all adamant the punch was legal and that Usyk should have been counted out.

Warren immediately demanded that a rematch is ordered.

Charles told iFL TV: “No matter how many times I’ve seen it and watched it from any angle, it was on the belt.

“Daniel Dubois was robbed of his moment. The team, his family and his friends were robbed.

“It was stolen from us. We were mugged. Usyk prides himself on being a religious person, I want to know which God he is worshipping – because you don’t lie in the name of the God that I worship.

“I’d have more respect if he came out publicly and said the truth: ‘I cheated’. There is no difference to him than a drugs cheat.

“We will protest. Justice should prevail.

“Physically Daniel is fine but mentally he is distraught.”

Charles said the plan was always to target the body of Usyk, who also put Dubois down in the eighth round with a flurry of punches that did not seem particularly forceful.

“It is no secret that Usyk doesn’t like it to the body,” said Charles.

“AJ (Anthony Joshua) did the same thing to him and he conned the referee – the same referee, Luis Pabon. That’s his weak spot. Why has he been allowed to get away with it? Why is he being protected? It’s outrageous.

“I asked the referee (about the fifth round) but he was in awe of this man (Usyk). Well, we’re not. We weren’t before and we certainly are not afterwards. Usyk is a great boxer, a masterful boxer – but he’s a cheat.

“We needed a stoppage to win and needed to conclude the fight in six rounds – which we did in the fifth. That was a KO.

“I’m proud of him (Dubois). He is a young man who followed instructions. That happened and it took the momentum away from us. He was confused.

“That is where experience comes into it. Usyk is a seasoned fighter but we knew we had the equaliser to take him out – which we did. He was allowed to get back into the fight, with the help of the referee.

“If you are not competent you should be demoted.”

Unsurprisingly, Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk had a different viewpoint.

Krassyuk accused Dubois of punching low “on purpose”.

“It’s not good for boxing,” he added. “You are in the position of challenger and thirsty to win – but boxing is a sport with rules, and you have to comply and respect them.

“It was an absolutely dominating performance.

“He (Usyk) won virtually every round. It was a one-sided fight.

“Dubois has the potential to become the champion and this fight with Usyk was probably his most valuable experience – because he was fighting an Olympic champion and former undisputed cruiserweight champion. He learned so much.”

Dubois’ record dips to 19-2 with Usyk (20-0), retaining his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles.

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