After no low-blow claim, the WBA rejected Daniel Dubois' request to have Oleksandr Usyk's defeat reversed.

The WBA denied Daniel Dubois' request to have his loss to Oleksandr Usyk altered to a no-contest because of a disputed low-blow call.

Usyk successfully defended his WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles in August, but the fight's outcome was overshadowed by the moment when he was wobbly and dropped to the ground.

Usyk was given nearly four minutes to recover before dominating the rest of the bout. Referee Luis Pabon promptly determined that Dubois' vicious right hook in the fifth round was below the waist.

Pabon's decision enraged Dubois and his crew, prompting promoter Frank Warren to file an official appeal last month, urging the WBA to overturn the verdict and order an instant rematch.

However, an independent panel supported Pabon's decision, while the WBA, in announcing its decision to uphold the original result, disclosed that the referee has the last say in these circumstances.

Pabon's decision enraged Dubois and his crew, prompting promoter Frank Warren to file an official appeal last month, urging the WBA to overturn the verdict and order an instant rematch.

However, an independent panel supported Pabon's decision, while the WBA, in announcing its decision to uphold the original result, disclosed that the referee has the last say in these circumstances.

"With the supervisor's approval, the WBA decided to refer the case to the International Officials Committee, who issued their review on September 11 and found that there was no clear and conclusive evidence that Pabon's original decision on Dubois' punch to Usyk was incorrect."

"They also came to the conclusion that no TV clip provided evidence that the decision was incorrect." Furthermore, they claimed that "the original decision of the low blow must stand because there is no indispensable evidence to prove otherwise."

"On the other hand, the WBA rules determine that the decision of a low blow and whether a boxer who receives it can continue are strict competences of the referee and he is the only one authorised to make these decisions."

Usyk, who knocked Dubois down twice to extend his unblemished professional record to 21 wins from 21 fights, is poised to face WBC champion Tyson Fury next.

A contract for a fight involving all four main world titles was reached last month, though the date of the match, which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has yet to be revealed.