Legal: Josh Taylor This content is protected Audrey Harrison Carl Frampton Deontay Wilder Paulie M This content is protected Sunny Edwards Amir Khan Tim Bradley Wade Plem This content is protected Lou Dibella This content is protected Spencer Oliver This content is protected Dave Coldwell Illegal: Liam Smith Tony Bellew Barry Jones Carl Froch Will update the list as I see more takes.
The only thing that matters is how the governing bodies rulebooks define it. They define it as a blow below the horizontal line drawn at the level of the navel, hips included. There are numerous shots of Usyk's navel actually appearing above his trunks when he breaths, hence making shots at the belt illegal. Case closed. What we've learned on the other hand: a) People don't know the rules. b) People's understanding of vulnerable body areas is based on Tom and Jerry and Animaniacs. If you don't cartoonishly wind up a punch and aim straight at the jewels, it's okay. c) Bradley is a despicable sucker who rants about their great british hope being robbed while the referee of Anderson-Rudenko explains hitting the belt is considered a low blow. Usyk's team per usual handled the madness profesionally. They actually pointed out the referee set the limit in the locker room, that if the punch touched the skin it could be considered legal by some referees, and that the punch actually being a hook (knuckles position) further worsened it with lower impact area.
I mean you do have a point there, most Ukrainian pros probably would say it was low. But I do think Ukranians are more patriotic than Brits.
You are quoting intellectuals such as Amir Khan, Josh Taylor, Audley Harrison.. This content is protected
Look at the replies you can't see Usyk's belly button when the punch landed nor when he is on the floor.