The team for heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois have officially logged a formal appeal with the WBA in a bid to have the Londoner’s stoppage defeat to Oleksandr Usyk declared a no-contest and for there to be an immediate rematch, Sky Sports have reported.
Last month, Dubois floored Usyk with a heavy shot to the midsection in round five of the heavyweight unification fight. Usyk was badly hurt by the shot, but referee Luis Pabon immediately ruled it to be a low blow and gave the Ukrainian almost four minutes to recover. Usyk continued to fight and eventually stopped a tired, disheartened Dubois in the ninth round to retain his WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO titles.
The punch has been poured over and analyzed from every conceivable angle since the fight took place on August 26th but Dubois, his promoter, Frank Warren, and trainer, Don Charles have been steadfast in their belief that the punch was legal and that he should be the new champion.
Warren has repeatedly called for a rematch and now the team have made their objections official.
In a brief statement the WBA said; “Daniel Dubois’ team sent a formal appeal for last August 26 fight, in which he lost by knockout in nine rounds against Oleksandr Usyk in Wroclaw, Poland.
“The WBA, now that it has received a formal appeal from Dubois’ team, will proceed with a review as per the regulations.
“Any decision made regarding this situation will be made under WBA rules and communicated in a timely and appropriate manner.”