Teddy Atlas Criticizes ESPN Commentary Team For Usyk vs. Dubois Low Blow Call

Originally posted on FanNation MMA Knockout
By Fernando Quiles Jr. | Last updated 8/31/23

Legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas has a bone to pick with the commentary team that called Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois.

Dubois challenged Usyk for the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles on August 26. In the fifth round, Dubois thought he struck gold, dropping Usyk with what he feels was a clean body shot. The punch was ruled a low blow and Usyk was given ample time to recovery. Ultimately, Dubois was knocked out in the ninth round.

During an episode of "THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas," the renowned trainer Atlas took issue with the ESPN commentary team, specifically International Boxing Hall of Famer Tim Bradley for flip flopping on whether or not the punch that dropped Oleksandr Usyk was a low blow.

"The commentator said it was a low blow," Teddy Atlas said. "Again, this is one of my annoyances, and then later in the fight he says that was a legitimate blow. I don't know, did he have a change of mind? Alright, okay. No, really, but which is it? You can't have it both ways. Again, one of the things that bothers me is when guys flip flop. That's one thing. I got things wrong plenty of times at ESPN, plenty of times over the 20-plus years I was doing the drop there, but I didn't flip flop. I said, 'Yeah, I was wrong. I said this, and you know what? I was wrong.'"

Queensberry Promotions plans to appeal the loss on behalf of Daniel Dubois. The promotion's head honcho, Frank Warren, said he believes the worst-case scenario should be an immediate rematch. Many are doubting that Warren will get his wish.

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This article first appeared on FanNation MMA Knockout and was syndicated with permission.

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