The boxing world was left reeling after the highly contentious heavyweight bout between Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk. On the surface, it looked like just another defense of Usyk’s unified titles, but the events that unfolded in the fifth round sparked a wildfire of debate, disbelief, and fury. With accusations of a “low blow” marring what could have been a career-defining moment for Dubois, it’s become increasingly clear: Daniel Dubois deserves a rematch.

Here’s why.

The Controversial Fifth Round

Everything changed in round five.

Daniel Dubois landed a hard body shot that sent Usyk crumpling to the canvas in visible pain. Referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow, giving Usyk time to recover — a full three minutes and forty-five seconds. But upon replay, millions of viewers around the world questioned the call. The punch appeared to land on or slightly above the beltline — which, according to boxing rules, can be deemed legal depending on the referee’s discretion.

What made the situation even murkier was that Usyk’s waistband sat high, creating the illusion that Dubois’ punch was lower than it actually was. Many experts, including former champions and analysts, insisted that it should have been ruled a legal knockdown. Had it been, the entire outcome of the fight might have changed.

Dubois Was Denied a Defining Moment

For a fighter like Daniel Dubois, this wasn’t just a title fight — it was a chance at redemption. After suffering a setback against Joe Joyce, Dubois had climbed his way back into the title picture and was on the brink of achieving something monumental. When he dropped Usyk with what should have been a legal body shot, Dubois was poised to take control of the fight.

Instead, the ruling gave Usyk a reprieve, a reset, and ultimately the chance to regroup and dominate the later rounds. Usyk would go on to stop Dubois in the ninth round — a TKO that now feels tainted due to the controversy that preceded it.

This wasn’t a clear victory. It was an unresolved chapter.

The Integrity of the Sport Is at Stake

Boxing has long battled the ghosts of controversial decisions and questionable calls. Whether it’s disputed scorecards, premature stoppages, or in this case, questionable fouls, nothing hurts the credibility of the sport more than fights that end in controversy.

Allowing a fight of this magnitude — for the unified heavyweight championship, no less — to go unchallenged after such a pivotal moment was mired in doubt, sends the wrong message. It suggests that fighter safety and fairness are subordinate to preserving title hierarchies and promotional interests.

A rematch is not just about Dubois getting another shot — it’s about preserving the integrity of boxing itself.

Public and Professional Outcry

Following the fight, social media exploded with commentary. Prominent figures in boxing — including Carl Froch, Tony Bellew, and even Lennox Lewis — voiced concern over the referee’s ruling and the lack of consistency in body shot judgments.

Froch stated bluntly:

“That was a body shot. Full stop.”

Fans have continued to call for justice, with hashtags like #DuboisWasRobbed and #UsykDubois2 trending after the bout. It’s rare to see this level of sustained outrage from the boxing community, and it’s a testament to just how controversial the moment was.

Usyk Should Accept the Challenge

To his credit, Oleksandr Usyk is a proud and honorable champion. But as someone who has built a legacy on skill, courage, and sportsmanship, accepting a rematch would only enhance his reputation. Rather than let doubt fester, Usyk has the chance to prove definitively that he is the superior fighter — without the cloud of controversy.

And for Dubois, it’s a chance to finish what he started.

Final Thoughts: Justice Demands It

In a sport where opportunities are scarce and careers can be defined by a single moment, Daniel Dubois was denied his. The controversial call in the fifth round robbed him of a legitimate chance at greatness and cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the result.

A rematch is not a gift — it’s a necessity.

If boxing is to maintain its status as the sport of kings, then it must do what is right when wrongs have been done. Usyk vs. Dubois 2 needs to happen — for the fans, for the sport, and above all, for justice.