Daniel Dubois Sparks Controversy: ‘Coward’ Says What When Usyk Knocked Him Out Easily – Will the Rematch Be a Disaster?

Daniel Dubois has reignited controversy in the boxing world with his recent comments regarding his loss to Oleksandr Usyk, branding the aftermath a product of manipulation and even going as far as suggesting he was “robbed” of victory. While critics and fans continue to debate the legitimacy of his claims, some have gone so far as to label him a “coward” for not accepting defeat with grace. With the buzz of a possible Usyk vs. Dubois rematch, many are now wondering: Will it be a competitive showdown—or a complete disaster?

The Infamous Low Blow and the Fallout

The first meeting between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois in August 2023 was expected to be another notch in Usyk’s belt as he defended his unified heavyweight titles. For five rounds, Usyk dictated the pace and looked comfortable. Then, in round five, Dubois landed a controversial body shot that sent Usyk to the canvas.

Referee Luis Pabon ruled the punch a low blow, giving Usyk several minutes to recover. Dubois and his camp, however, strongly protested the decision, insisting the shot was legal and should have resulted in a knockdown—or even a knockout victory.

Despite the protest, the fight resumed, and Usyk regained control, ultimately stopping Dubois in the ninth round with a punishing barrage. But the shadow of the fifth-round controversy lingered, and Dubois refused to accept the loss without raising questions.

Dubois Doubles Down: “I Should Be Champion”

In the months following the fight, Dubois remained vocal, repeating in interviews that he should have won. In a recent media appearance, he made headlines by declaring:

“That was a legal body shot. I landed it clean. He went down. I should’ve been crowned champion right then and there.”

These claims sparked backlash across social media and from some pundits who accused Dubois of lacking accountability. “Coward” trended briefly on boxing forums, with critics saying he was dodging the fact that he was ultimately outclassed by Usyk.

Even British boxing legend Carl Froch weighed in, saying:

“Dubois should stop making excuses. Usyk came back and punished him. If the punch was really clean, we’d have heard more from the officials.”

Will the Rematch Happen?

Despite the backlash, the chatter around a potential rematch has gained traction. Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, has hinted that he will continue lobbying for a second fight, claiming that Usyk’s recovery time after the body shot was unfair and that there are “legal arguments” that could force a ruling in their favor.

While Usyk’s team has shown little interest in revisiting the bout, the landscape of heavyweight boxing could force their hand. If Usyk defeats Tyson Fury in the undisputed title fight and the belts fragment—as expected—Dubois might be in line for a shot at one of the vacant titles, which could lead to another Usyk clash.

Is a Rematch a Bad Idea?

From a competitive standpoint, many boxing insiders believe a rematch between Usyk and Dubois would be one-sided—and potentially damaging for Dubois. In the original fight, Usyk’s superior footwork, speed, and IQ were too much for the British heavyweight.

Usyk landed 45% of his power punches, while Dubois connected on less than 20%, according to CompuBox stats. If not for the fifth-round controversy, the fight was on pace to be a clean sweep for Usyk on the scorecards.

Respected trainer Teddy Atlas remarked:

“If they fight again, it’ll end sooner. Usyk already figured him out. That rematch won’t prove anything except Dubois isn’t at that level.”

Dubois’ Reputation on the Line

What’s truly at stake in a potential rematch is Daniel Dubois’ credibility. Once seen as Britain’s next great heavyweight hope, Dubois has now lost twice in big moments—once to Joe Joyce, where he famously took a knee and quit due to an eye injury, and again to Usyk.

The narrative forming around him is that he crumbles under pressure. By continuing to press for a rematch based on a controversial moment rather than overall performance, Dubois is inviting more scrutiny than support.

Prominent analyst Steve Bunce commented:

“Dubois has to be very careful. If he gets blown out again, his image will suffer, and his stock in the division could plummet.”

Could Dubois Improve?

To his credit, Dubois has shown flashes of raw power and potential. At just 27, he’s still young for a heavyweight and has time to develop. But if he’s serious about redemption, he’ll need to overhaul his approach—both physically and mentally.

• Stamina and Conditioning: Dubois faded badly in the later rounds against Usyk. He must improve his gas tank to compete over 12 rounds at the elite level.

• Mental Fortitude: He has to prove he can overcome adversity, not blame it.

• Technical Growth: Dubois needs to work with trainers who can refine his jab, defense, and footwork.

If these changes are made, and if he takes two or three rebuilding fights against ranked opponents, a rematch down the line might be more competitive.

The Heavyweight Chessboard

As the heavyweight picture evolves—with Usyk, Fury, Joshua, and Wilder all on uncertain timelines—there could be openings for fighters like Dubois. If the belts scatter in 2025, the WBA or IBF may call for mandatory challengers.

If Dubois positions himself correctly, and if public interest stays high due to the controversy, a second crack at Usyk—or at least a title—may not be out of reach.

Still, a premature rematch could be disastrous, both in terms of performance and perception. A poor showing could result in a career backslide that’s hard to recover from.

What the Fans Are Saying

The boxing community remains divided. Some believe Dubois deserves another chance, especially if the body shot truly was legal. Others say he should focus on proving himself against contenders like Martin Bakole, Filip Hrgović, or even Frank Sanchez before calling out an elite champion again.

On X (formerly Twitter), fans voiced both support and criticism:

• “Dubois got robbed. The punch was fair. Usyk milked it.”

• “He’s delusional. Got outboxed, then KO’d. Move on.”

• “Rematch only makes sense if he beats real competition first.”

Conclusion: A Dangerous Gamble Looms

Daniel Dubois is playing with fire by chasing a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk without rebuilding his resume. While controversy from the original fight gave him a sliver of narrative leverage, the reality remains: Usyk is on another level, and Dubois needs to grow significantly before stepping back in that ring.

A rematch too soon might not only be a tactical disaster—it could permanently damage his standing as a serious heavyweight contender.

For now, Dubois needs to refocus, silence the noise, and rebuild the right way. If he truly believes he can beat Usyk, it’s not words that will prove it—it’s wins.