Referee Jack Reiss has clarified the rules on the low blow in boxing after the controversial fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois over the weekend.
The two heavyweights went at it in Poland as Usyk retained his IBF, WBA and WBO belts with a ninth-round stoppage.
However there was controversy earlier on in the fight when Usyk was on all four as Dubois landed a fierce right hand to the Ukrainian’s midriff.
The referee Luis Pabon ruled the punch a low blow and allowed Usyk several minutes to recover, which led Dubois, his promoter Frank Warren, and others to say that he had been cheated out of the win.
Speaking on the DAZN Boxing Show, Barak Bess said he could see why it was a tough decision to make.
He said: “I think it was close, and as a referee is kind of hard to see things on the spot, upon us being able to see the replay, I see Usyk’s shorts were above his navel, above his belly button, so when people find out what the belt line is, that’s a good shot, it’s on the top part of the cup, which is all padding.
“I feel like for Usyk, it’s up to you to know what the ref is saying, so if he’s saying it’s a low blow, by all means that shot hurts, take whatever you need. What I didn’t like was Luis Pabon telling Usyk to stay.”
Akin Reyes added: “I think Usyk in the post fight press conference, he was so frustrated, he wanted to get back out there, his pride was hurt so he wanted to get back out there, so he said I’m ready to fight in the street, wherever, right now.”
Reiss clarified the rules for the two pundits.
He explained: “With all due respect, I’m not here to comment on what happened in the fight, the body language of the fight.
“Legally, I shouldn't comment on the actions of a referee or what I felt.
“I just want to make it really simple. I want to clarify and illuminate any questions. All this convoluted over the years. Simon says put your hands on your hips. You feel the top of two bony structures. Take two fingers until they meet. That line is your hip line. Everyone’s belly button is different, you can’t use the belly button.
“That hip line signifies where we wear our belt. That is our low blow point. So what a low blow is, any time the majority of the glove is below that hit line. On the hip line is legal, it doesn’t stop being illegal until a majority of a glove is above it. That’s why when the fight begins, we identify the hip line. That’s basically it.
“The hip line never moves, the belly button changes, the waistband changes. You should visualise as a ref where that hip line is.”