Quijano: Usyk dominates despite low blow
Boxing lore is replete with accounts of how low blows can affect the outcome of a fight. The most infamous of them all has got to be Andrew Golota vs Riddick Bowe 2.
Golota had already been disqualified in their first bout but that didn’t deter him from opting to be a recidivist.
In the second fight, despite previous warnings and deductions, Golota proceeded to unleash what up to this day is probably an anomaly — a three punch combination to the groin.
Of course, he was disqualified. Again.
USYK-DUBOIS. Over the past weekend, there was a minor controversy in the heavyweight title fight between reigning Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois.
To recall, Usyk (21-0, 14KOs) came into prominence after he soundly defeated the hulking but slumping Anthony Joshua twice.
Dubois (19-2, 18KOs), on the other hand, was an up and comer who had been previously stopped by Joe Joyce. Still he had a nice record over some decent heavyweights and had knockout power.
The first few rounds were very competitive although Usyk controlled most of the action. He was his usual busy self, throwing punches behind his southpaw stance and often catching Dubois flat-footed.
Dubois landed his fair share of leather, usually catching Usyk with a right hand or a body shot as he came in, but the disparity in hand speed in favor of the Ukrainian was evident.
In Round 5, however, Dubois appeared to catch Usyk with a low blow as he was coming in. Usyk fell down and the ref gave him enough time to recover.
When the action resumed, Usyk started unloading and was letting his hands go more often. Dubois was still landing sparingly, and he was still effective in targeting the body, but it was clear that Usyk was way ahead on the cards by this time.
Shortly before the bell rang in Round 7, Usyk hurt Dubois with a combination and in the next round, Usyk picked up where he left off as he knocked down Dubois.
He finished matters off in Round 9 as he knocked down a tired and weary Dubois with a right hand. After examining Dubois, the ref called for the denouement of the fight.
LOW. Post-fight, some pundits cried out (after watching slow motion replays) that the blow was not low but landed on the beltline.
I thought it was borderline but most of the glove landed below the beltline so it was arguably a correct call on the part of the referee.
Alternatively, had it been called a knockdown, it’s difficult to gauge if Usyk would have been unable to continue. He appeared hurt as he immediately went down but who’s to say he could have shrugged it off if he realized he was in trouble?
After all, post low-blow Usyk didn’t appear gassed and was still strong enough to finish off Dubois.
LAST ROUNDS. Are on one of my dearest friends, Dr. Gerry Ypil III and Susan Polvorosa de Jesus who recently celebrated their birthdays. Cheers!