Former opponent of Oleksandr Usyk, Tony Bellew, has defended the Ukrainian after a controversial low blow call in his victory over Daniel Dubois.
Dubois, the underdog mandatory challenger, was on the back foot against the unified IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight champion, and in the early rounds it appeared to be a comfortable night for Usyk.
However in the fifth round a punch to Usyk’s body sent the Ukrainian to the floor, but referee Luis Pabon deemed it to be a low blow and gave the champion time to recover.
Dubois said he had been "cheated" out of victory, while his trainer Don Charles, promoter Frank Warren and former world champion Carl Frampton all said the blow was legal.
However Bellew, who lost to Usyk in November 2018 before announcing his retirement, sided with the referee's decision to rule the punch a low blow.
"Anything below the [navel] is classed as low in boxing," Bellew posted on X.
"That’s not my opinion that’s a FACT! That’s the rules!
"Your shorts shouldn’t cover your [navel] cos if they do the belt can be hit!"