Boxing icon Lennox Lewis has launched a scathing critique of Daniel Dubois following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, accusing the British fighter of 'quitting' during their high-profile bout.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion didn't mince words when analysing Dubois' performance against the Ukrainian champion, suggesting the 25-year-old lacked the mental toughness required at elite level.
Lewis Questions Dubois' Heart
'When the going got tough, he got going - out of the ring,' Lewis told reporters. 'That's not what champions are made of. I saw a fighter who mentally checked out when faced with adversity.'
The criticism comes after Dubois' controversial low-blow claim during the August fight in Poland, which many observers dismissed as an attempt to justify his eventual knockout loss in the ninth round.
British Boxing Under Scrutiny
Lewis' comments have reignited debates about the current state of British heavyweight boxing. 'We used to produce warriors,' Lewis lamented. 'Now we have fighters looking for excuses when they should be looking for solutions in the ring.'
Promoter Frank Warren has defended Dubois, calling Lewis' comments 'unfair' and pointing to the young boxer's previous performances. However, the boxing community remains divided on whether Dubois can bounce back from this career setback.
What Next for Dubois?
With his world title ambitions temporarily derailed, boxing analysts suggest Dubois may need to rebuild with domestic fights before attempting another assault on the global stage. Whether he can prove Lewis wrong and demonstrate the champion mentality demanded by the sport's legends remains to be seen.
