Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with the Ukrainian flag after his heavyweight boxing victory over Anthony Joshua of England in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Francois Nel | Getty Images Sport | beautiful pictures
Oleksandr Usyk secured his second straight win over Anthony Joshua to defend his unified WBO, WBA and IBF world heavyweight title during a 12-round bout.
Usyk won in a split decision at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah, by 116-112 and 115-113 respectively against the cards of Viktor Fesechko of Ukraine and Steve Gray of England. Glenn Feldman of America scores for Joshua 115-113.
The result angered Joshua. He picked up two championship belts and threw them off the ring before briefly dashing away.
Joshua then turned around and grabbed the microphone and vented his emotions in an explosive frenzy.
“I’m stealing this Usyk, I’m sorry, but it’s because of the passion we put into it,” Joshua told the crowd during his two-minute speech.
Usyk holds three of the four main heavyweight belts. One of his collection is missing. Tyson Fury, ostensibly retired, still holds the WBC belt. That was the only fight that Usyk cared about.
“I’m sure Tyson Fury hasn’t retired yet,” the champion said. “I’m sure, I believe he wants to fight me.
How much champion Usyk against Joshua has improved
Usyk has come under immense pressure from an unsettled Joshua, whose performance has improved dramatically since their first bout in September.
Last year, after just two professional fights in the heavyweight division, Usyk overtook Joshua in London in a stellar performance. Once the undisputed champion in the cruiser weight class, Usyk has proven himself to be one of the best boxers in the world today.
Joshua began an immediate rematch, determined to restore his place as a top heavyweight. He eventually brought in a new coach, Robert Garcia to join Angel Fernandez in his corner and devoted himself to correcting the mistakes he made in the first game.
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Joshua lost before meeting Usyk, but avenged his loss to Andy Ruiz on his first visit to Saudi Arabia in 2019. He is fighting to become a three-time heavyweight champion and knows that move Your fortune depends on winning tonight.
Both fighters are under tremendous pressure going into this championship clash. Can’t even think of failure.
It makes for a stressful start. Usyk lets his south bump flash, sometimes fend, sometimes land. He made a very quick cross and saved Joshua’s right. Joshua, despite being on his front foot, hit the right hook and leaned in as the Ukrainian approached.
Oleksandr Usyk connects with right hand Anthony Joshua during their heavyweight bout, dubbed Rage on the Red Sea, in Saudi Arabia on August 20.
Francois Nel | Getty Images Sport | beautiful pictures
He continued to pay attention to the body, driving as soon as he could and seeing the opening for it to shoot in the head.
But Usyk remained evasive, shaking his head around deeper thrusts and chipping away at the bigger challenger.
Joshua throws weighted shots backwards, which are heavy even when Usyk wears them to his gloves or elbows.
He grew more confident, letting his own punches flow more in the fourth round. He searches for Usyk as he threatens the upper keys. However, the Ukrainian ended the half with a brilliant left cross.
Fast growth in fifth place
Speed increased rapidly in the fifth round, in just a short amount of time as Joshua swung an uppercut below the waist. Joshua continued that attack to the trunk and hit the body with a hard right. Usyk managed to dissuade him, landing opposite on the left as Joshua entered.
The challenger now, Joshua continues to press Usyk, much more willing to join than in their first fight. He shot on the right but he cut Usyk with a good left hook. Joshua hit him because Usyk had to stand on his hind legs.
Usyk marked him with his right eye.
The fight was tight through the first six innings. Sometimes Usyk’s hand speed speaks for itself, he leaves a sniping shot that catches Joshua from openings.
Usyk speaks to reporters after his win over Anthony Joshua at King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Francois Nel | Getty Images Sport | beautiful pictures
In round 8, Joshua threw a powerful left hook into the body. Usyk turns to him, probing Joshua with a combination of punches. As Usyk closes him to the head, Joshua swings his right down the Usyk club in an instant.
Joshua started breaking out in the ninth round. He eventually pushed Usyk into the rope and Joshua continued to apply pressure, hammering the Ukrainian with a heavy hammer. He dug in an evil body and a smile spread across Joshua’s face. He’s about to pick up momentum his way.
However, Usyk changed the fight once again. He increased the tempo amazingly in the next inning. He stunned Joshua with a precise right hook. He unloads with the lever and pushes Joshua back step by step. A heavy right pierced Usyk’s chin but he took it and continued with his attack, slamming Joshua into the 10th round.
Usyk was handling the pressure and Joshua knew he needed to find something special in the final round. He tried to be brave, hitting hard punches to the head again. But Usyk kept her feet underneath him and kept moving, working well even off the ropes. He closed the match like a champion, not giving up in the 12th round.
It was Usyk who had a strong finish, knocking Joshua down with heavy counterattacks to close the final seconds of the round.
The decision was closer than expected but Usyk was a well-deserved winner.
Joshua overflows with emotions
Joshua, however, couldn’t hold back his emotions after the match. “If you know my story, you’ll understand the passion. I’m not an amateur boxer since I was five years old but have been an elite prospect since my youth. I’m going to jail, I’m out on bail and I start training, I want to be able to fight,” he growled.
It was Usyk’s moment, but Joshua was alone with the microphone and kept talking.
“This person beat me tonight, maybe I can do better, but it shows how hard I work. So please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight world champion,” Joshua said.
When defending champion Usyk had a chance to speak, he said, “I made this victory for my country, for all the people, the army that is defending the country. Thank you very much.
“This is history. Generations will watch this match, especially the one where someone tried to hit me hard, but I endured it and turned it around in a different way.”
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on Sky Sports Box Office. Repeat booking now!
