Usyk versus Dubois: WBA, others, uphold Referee Pabon’s controversial decision after review

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The World Boxing Association recently publicised their opinion on Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk’s controversial victory over Daniel Dubois, after reviewing the path that led to it as requested by Queensberry Promotions. Many including WBO heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury have pointed out beforehand that Usyk cheated or was too weak.

In reaction to the request to either cancel the match’s result or set up a rematch, WBA studied the low-blow video and conferred with other organisations connected to the titles Olexandr Usyk defended in that bout.

Oleksandr Usyk, called The Cat, is a custodian of several belts (WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO) and rules boxing’s heavyweight department along with WBA heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

While defending his belts against challenger Daniel Dubois recently, Usyk was dropped to the canvas by a blow Referee Luis Pabon counted as a low blow. Dubois waited for Usyk to recover according to the referee’s decision before losing the contest in the ninth round.

Usyk recovering

Many have condemned the decision, including a world-class referee, but that and the lobbying carried out by Queensberry Promotions were futile. The WBA announced their decision on their website. Here is their full statement:

‘The World Boxing Association (WBA) ruled that the ruling of the bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois, held last August 26, will stand after having thoroughly studied the appeal made by Queensberry Promotions.’The bout that took place in Wrocław, Poland, ended with victory for WBA heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who also defended his WBO, IBF and IBO belts in that bout.

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

‘Queensberry Promotions sent all the documents with their arguments to consider a reversal of the result. These were sent to Usyk’s representatives, the IBF and the WBO. On September 12, Usyk’s team acknowledged receipt of the appeal and their response, in which they addressed their arguments and various considerations about the fight.

‘The supervisors of the fight were Carlos Ortiz (IBF), Ed Levine (IBO), Thomas Puetz (WBO) and Jesper Jensen (WBA). The supervisor of the pioneer body, Jensen, determined that referee Luis Pabón made the correct decision regarding the punch which he considered an accidental low blow.

‘With the supervisor’s opinion, the WBA decided to send the case to the International Officials Committee, who on September 11, issued their review and found that there was no clear and conclusive evidence that the original decision made by Pabon on Dubois’ punch to Usyk was wrong. They also concluded that no TV clip had evidence that the decision was incorrect. In addition, they asserted that “the original decision of the low blow must stand, as there is no indispensable evidence to prove otherwise.”

‘On the other hand, the WBA rules determine that the decision of a low blow and whether a boxer who receives it can continue are strict competences of the referee and he is the only one authorized to make these decisions.

‘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 and the decision of the fight stands with the victory and defense of the champion Usyk.’

Daniel Dubois’ rating dropped following this development, and there is nothing he can do about it.

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