Usyk defiantly brushes off claims he struggles to cope with body shots

10/28/2023 Boxing

Oleksandr Usyk defiantly brushes off suggestions he struggles to cope with body shots as he references Daniel Dubois’ ‘below the belt’ shot while attending Tyson Fury v Francis Ngannou boxing gala in Saudi Arabia

  • Tyson Fury faces Francis Ngannou in the Battle of the Baddest in Saudi Arabia 
  • Oleksandr Usyk is in Saudi Arabia with the Ukrainian next in line to face Fury 
  • LISTEN: Exclusive Tyson Fury interview on THE HOOK – our new boxing podcast

Oleksandr Usyk has hit back at claims that he can’t handle body shots, by referencing his controversial clash with Daniel Dubois.

The Ukrainian retained his IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles when he stopped Dubois in the ninth round of their clash back in August.

Though he dominated the bout, he was in real distress in the fifth round as he slumped to the canvas after Dubois landed a heavy shot on the beltline  – which he was given four minutes to recover from, though his opponent did not have a point deducted.

Usyk is currently in Saudi Arabia to watch Tyson Fury’s crossover bout with MMA star Francis Ngannou on Saturday – ahead of a potential future unified heavyweight clash with the Gypsy King.

Speaking to Mail Sport while at a gala on Friday evening ahead of the big clash in Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Usyk defiantly responded to claims that he can’t handle body shots.

Oleksandr Usyk has defiantly hit back at suggestions that he can’t handle body shots

Usyk referenced his controversial clash with Daniel Dubois back in August where it was deemed his opponent caught him with an accidental low blow despite fierce debate 

Usyk is in Saudi Arabia ahead of Fury’s bout with Francis Ngannou (seen face-to-face with the Gypsy King after the latter’s bout with Derek Chisora back in December 2022)

When the question was put to him, Usyk responding to his interpreter, appeared fired up as he pointed below his waistline and gave his answer before walking off. 

His interpreter then told Mail Sport: ‘That they not punch me below the beltline.’

Usyk also said that his chances of beating Fury are ‘looking very good’.

Dubois’ beltline shot on Usyk sparked much debate, with some feeling that he had been ‘robbed’.

His bid to have the result changed to a no-contest due to the debatable low blow was later rejected by the WBA. 

Video footage has circulated of Usyk and Fury hugging at Friday night’s gala in Saudi Arabia.

It was announced in September that Fury, who holds the WBC heavyweight title, will box Usyk, who is unified champion,

It’s anticipated that Usyk and Fury could go face-to-face after the latter’s bout with Ngannou on Saturday night.

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