Daniel Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren was incandescent with referee Luis Pabon’s decision to rule a shot landed by the Brit against Oleksandr Usyk a low blow in their world title clash this past weekend.
However, the veteran boxing businessman has this week revealed he also has a bone to pick with his young charge over another incident at the Wroclaw Stadium.
Dubois’ took a knee after a firm jab from Usyk, and Pabon waved the contest off after he only rose to his feet as the count of ten reached completion.
And Warren told IFL TV he would have liked to see ‘DDD’ kick up a bit more of a fuss over the referee’s decision to call a halt to proceedings.
“I don’t agree that it was a light shot. It was a good, stiff jab and his momentum was coming on to it.”
“Daniel said because of what had happened he had lost a lot of momentum in the fight. He looked to the corner, they indicated to him when to get up, he got up and then the referee called it off.”
“He didn’t complain – I was a bit annoyed about that. But I don’t think it’s so much that he quit, I just think the momentum loss stopped his desire.”
“All knockdowns are different. He’s 25 years of age, he’s now got to know what it takes to win a world title if something goes wrong – you can’t lose your momentum.”
Warren has stated he intends to lobby with the WBA for an immediate rematch to be ordered due to the fifth round low blow incident, however the other side believe this is wishful thinking in the extreme.
Dubois will most likely have to regroup and rebuild and, still only 25, one thing he does have on his side is time.