Oleksandr Usyk defended his heavyweight boxing title against Daniel Dubois in Poland on Saturday night in a dramatic win amid strange scenes at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw. 

 

In a stunning fifth round, the 25-year-old Dubois appeared to floor the champion with a clean shot to the body. But referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow, allowing the wincing Usyk time to recover.

 

A furious Dubois said he had been “cheated out of victory,” insisting the blow landed legally. His promoter, Frank Warren, called it a “complete home decision” and said he would appeal.

 

The 36-year-old Usyk regained control after the controversy, dropping Dubois in the eighth and forcing a stoppage in the ninth to retain his WBA, IBF and WBO belts. He took his record to 21-0, keeping hopes of a megafight with Tyson Fury alive.