Esteemed former trainer Teddy Atlas has weighed in on the low blow controversy from Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Daniel Dubois this past weekend.
A Dubois’ right to the body sent Usyk crashing to the canvas in the fifth round at the Tarczynski Arena, but referee Luis Pabon ruled the shot low and allowed the Ukrainian over three minutes to recover – a decision that has since split opinion across the boxing world.
Speaking on his podcast The Fight, Atlas revealed he feels Pabon’s decision was the correct one, however added that Usyk’s mid section could be an area for future opponents to target.
“Even if Usyk does have an iron chin, he might have a glass belly! I believe he legitimately was hurt. I can’t tell you if he was hurt because of the damage it did to the body or the damage it did to the groin area.”
“It didn’t seem to be on the groin area, it seemed to be on the side. But it was below the line and below where the cup begins.”
“It wasn’t dramatically below, but it was below. So it’s technically a low blow, that’s not too hard to define.”
Usyk was in complete control of the contest both before and soon after the incident, and was able to slowly break the young Brit down to score a ninth round stoppage victory.
His next fight looks set to be against IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic, who has made clear that he will not step aside so an undisputed fight between Usyk and Tyson Fury can happen.