Oct 12, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Oleksandr Usyk (white trunks) after his win over Chazz Witherspoon (not pictured) box during a heavyweight boxing match at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

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“You Should Be Given An Oscar” – Oleksandr Usyk Fires Back After Daniel Dubois’ Trainer Accuses Him of Cheating In First Fight

Trainer Don Charles claims low blow controversy tainted their first bout, but Oleksandr Usyk isn’t staying silent!

The boxing scene is buzzing again as heavyweight titans Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois prepare for their highly anticipated rematch. Their first encounter in August 2023 ended in controversy that still stings for the British camp. The Ukrainian champion and Dubois are set to settle their score at Wembley Stadium on July 19, with all four major heavyweight belts on the line.

Boxing fans remember their first fight in Poland where a disputed “low blow” incident became the talk of the sport. Referee intervened, Usyk recovered, and the rest is history, a history that Dubois’ camp refuses to accept.

Also Read: Daniel Dubois pushes Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium

Daniel Dubois’ Trainer Speaks Up

At the recent press conference, tensions exploded when Dubois’ trainer Don Charles didn’t mince words. He accused the Ukrainian of cheating in their first fight.

“You have heard of the Oscars right? You should be given an Oscar for the performance, You conned the referee, you conned us, you conned the boxing world.”

"You've heard of the Oscars, right?" 👀

"You conned us" ‼️

Don Charles and Oleksandr Usyk exchange words 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/6BO9EL5CQa
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) April 29, 2025

The accusation stems from that pivotal moment when Dubois landed what he believed was a legitimate body shot. Many thought it would end Usyk’s unbeaten run. Instead, the referee ruled it below the belt, giving Usyk recovery time before he ultimately won the fight. This decision has haunted Dubois for nearly two years.

Oleksandr Usyk Fires Back

Usyk’s response to Charles’ accusations showed his trademark composure. With a smile that said more than words, the 38-year-old Ukrainian simply replied:

“Oscar is coming next. Alright listen, you must teach your fighter to punch clean.”

The undefeated champion dismissed the controversy and showed why he remains one of boxing’s most mentally tough competitors. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Dubois’ camp’s frustration. The stakes couldn’t be higher for both men. Usyk aims to become undisputed heavyweight champion for a second time, while Dubois seeks redemption and validation. Their rematch represents the first time an undisputed heavyweight four-belt title bout will be fought on British soil.

The rematch comes at an interesting point in both fighters’ careers. Usyk, at 38, remains unbeaten but faces questions about his age. He proved critics wrong by defeating Tyson Fury twice. Dubois has rebounded impressively since that 2023 loss. He captured the IBF belt after Usyk vacated it, showing tremendous grit along the way. With both camps still trading barbs about what happened in Poland, this rematch carries extra emotional weight. The boxing world will be watching when these heavyweight stars finally settle their differences in the ring on July 19!

(Image Credit: Jon Durr – Imagn Images)

Daniel Dubois

Oleksandr Usyk

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!