By: Sean Crose
IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois deserves a second likelihood at WBO, WBC, and WBA heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Whereas Usyk ended the primary bout between the 2 males in August 2023 in thunderous vogue, that victory has been overshadowed at instances by a controversial incident that occurred within the fifth spherical of that combat. That was when Usyk was introduced down by a Dubois shot that was controversially dominated a low blow. The referee then made it clear he wished Usyk take a superb period of time for himself so as to be totally recovered earlier than returning to the motion. Suffice to say, Usyk took over three minutes earlier than resuming the combat.
There are nonetheless those that really feel that the low blow that landed on Usyk wasn’t actually a low blow. On high of that, the referee’s habits, in addition to the beneficiant period of time it took Usyk to get well, have led to raised eyebrows concerning the combat. Naturally, extra folks would imagine Dubois bought a uncooked deal if Usyk hadn’t gone on to cease the person within the ninth. Had the combat gone to the playing cards, the mere incontrovertible fact that Dubois had gone to the ultimate bell would give credence to an accusation of unfair therapy. Since Usyk despatched his opponent to the canvas in each the eighth and ninth, nonetheless, Usyk’s victory turned extra definitive.
And now many, if not most, followers are disinterested in seeing Usyk battle Dubois once more. Usyk defeated Tyson Fury for the second time final weekend, and now seems to be on the zenith of his Corridor of Fame caliber profession. The general opinion appears to be that Usyk-Dubois 2 would have a been-there, done-that vibe to it. That maybe is true, however that doesn’t imply the combat shouldn’t occur.
Moreover, Dubois is the IBF heavyweight champion. If Usyk bests him once more, he’ll as soon as extra be undisputed. Whereas Usyk-Dubois 2 wouldn’t generate the curiosity Usyk’s fights with Fury and Anthony Joshua did, it could take away any final whiff of unfinished companies which may nonetheless be hovering over Usyk’s fame…supplied, after all, that Usyk wins. And that Dubois bests former titlist Joseph Parker after they meet in February of the approaching yr. It’s good to remember the fact that Usyk is now nearer to thirty than he’s to forty years of age. It’s uncertain that he’ll be preventing all that for much longer. Ought to he face Dubois once more, he may have actually cleaned out the heavyweight division…until, after all, he’s bested by Dubois.
