Dubois’ team felt the shot was a legitimate one and appealed the decision, after Usyk was given nearly four minutes to recover and then went on to stop Dubois in the ninth round, but the result stood.
Dubois jumped in the ring after Usyk’s win over Fury at the end of last year, despite already having a fight with Parker lined up.
The 27-year-old was beaten by Usyk in August 2023 but there was controversy surrounding the outcome, with Dubois dropping Usyk with a body shot that was deemed a low blow.
Derek Chisora, Usyk’s opponent in his second fight at heavyweight, has suggested he would also be keen to once again fight the Ukrainian before he steps away from the sport himself.
There had been suggestions that Usyk, who has also held the full set of belts at cruiserweight, could walk away from the sport at the top, but the WBA (Super), WBC and WBO champion intends to return to the ring.
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