In one of the most dramatic developments in the heavyweight division this year, British boxer Daniel Dubois has publicly declared war on Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk, demanding an immediate rematch and accusing the unified titleholder of cheating during their controversial August 2023 clash.

Dubois, who suffered a ninth-round stoppage loss to Usyk in Wroclaw, Poland, is reigniting the fire months later by insisting that a controversial “low blow” ruling in the fifth round cost him the heavyweight titles. The punch, which sent Usyk to the canvas in clear pain, was ruled illegal by the referee, halting the action and giving Usyk over three minutes to recover. But now, Dubois is calling it what he believes it truly was: a legal body shot that should have ended the fight in his favor.

“You cheated, plain and simple,” Dubois said in a fiery interview with Boxing Now. “That shot was legal. It hit the belt line. If the ref had done his job, I’d be the champion right now.”

The accusation has reignited debate in the boxing world, with fans, analysts, and former fighters weighing in on both sides. While the rules state that shots below the belt are illegal, the interpretation of what constitutes “the belt line” can vary. In slow-motion replays, the punch appears to land at the borderline—technically legal according to many experts.

Since the fight, Dubois and his team, including promoter Frank Warren, have repeatedly called for a review of the bout and even appealed to boxing sanctioning bodies. While no official result was overturned, the controversy hasn’t died down. With Usyk now preparing for a historic undisputed title fight against Tyson Fury, Dubois is making it clear: he wants his shot at redemption, and he wants it now.

“I’m not going away. I want the rematch,” Dubois continued. “You can run, but I’m not stopping until I get justice in that ring. We both know what really happened that night.”

Usyk, known for his calm and composed demeanor, has not responded directly to Dubois’s latest comments. His camp maintains that the referee made the correct call and that Usyk won the fight decisively by outboxing Dubois and eventually stopping him with a flurry of punches in the ninth.

But Dubois isn’t buying it.

“He played it up. He bought time. That’s not how a champion fights. I hurt him, and he knew it. He took the easy way out.”

Social media has erupted since Dubois’s explosive remarks, with hashtags like #DuboisVsUsyk2 and #BeltLineControversy trending. While many fans are eager to see the long-awaited Fury vs. Usyk undisputed showdown, others believe Dubois deserves another shot before any talk of crowning an undisputed king.

Boxing analyst Carl Frampton commented on BT Sport:

“The low blow debate will go on forever. What’s undeniable is that Usyk was hurt. Whether it was legal or not is up to interpretation. But Dubois has a point—he landed a shot that changed the fight.”

With tensions rising, the possibility of a rematch is growing stronger—especially if contractual negotiations for Fury vs. Usyk continue to face delays. Should that mega-fight fall through, a Dubois rematch might be the most dramatic and marketable option available.

Whether it happens next or not, one thing is clear: Daniel Dubois isn’t backing down. He’s convinced he was robbed, and he’s on a mission to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.

The war of words has begun—and the rematch might just be the battle of the year.

Do you think Dubois deserves a second chance against Usyk?