Promoter Frank Warren has lodged an appeal against Daniel Dubois's loss to Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight world title bout last month.
Dubois sent Usyk to the canvas in the fifth round of the fight with a punch which appeared to land on the defending champion's waistband.
The referee ruled that the punch was a low blow rather than a legal body shot, though, allowing Usyk almost four minutes' worth of recovery time before resuming the fight.
The Ukrainian, who went into the contest as the overwhelming favourite, then went on to stop Dubois in the ninth round to retain his titles.
Dubois and his team heavily criticised the decision in the aftermath of the fight, claiming he had been "cheated" out of a famous victory, and Warren has now officially appealed to the WBA against the ruling.
© Reuters
If the appeal is successful, the WBA could overturn the result to declare it a no contest and order a rematch, while even if the result is not overturned, they could still order a rematch.
"Any decision made regarding this situation will be made under WBA rules and communicated in a timely and appropriate manner," read a WBA statement on the appeal.
Opinion within the boxing world has been split regarding the punch, with a number of former professionals claiming it was legal, and others claiming it was not.
If the appeal is unsuccessful then Usyk could face mandatory IBF challenger Filip Hrgovic next, while there is still hope that an undisputed fight against WBC champion Tyson Fury can be agreed.
Barney Corkhill
