Anthony Joshua’s fight for the unified heavyweight titles ended in disappointment as Oleksandr Usyk put on a stunning display to win the decisive bout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In a clash billed as Rage over the Red Sea, 32-year-old Joshua, full of spirit, displayed some aggression and intent – a significant improvement from their first fight. – but not comparable to the excellence and combat prowess of the Ukrainians.
Two referees scored the match as 115-113 and 116-112 for Usyk, while a third referee scored the challenger 115-113. While there were some tight rounds, Usyk was a well-deserved winner.
At the end of the match, an angry Joshua – rather oddly – picked up two of Usyk’s belts, dropped them off the ring and strode towards the locker room, before turning and heading back into the ring to give a speech. hotly.
“Usyk is a boxer’s hell. It’s just emotional,” he said. “If you know my story, you’ll understand the passion. I’m not an amateur boxer. I’m going to jail and I’m out on bail and I’m starting to train.
“It shows the passion we put into this. For this guy to beat me tonight, it shows how hard it takes him, so please give him a round of applause. hands as the heavyweight champion of the world.
“They say I’m not a 12-round fighter. I’m not 14 kicks, I’m 18, I’m heavy. It’s hard. This guy here is phenomenal.”
Joshua has now suffered consecutive defeats against Usyk, with the champion retaining the WBA (Super), WBO and IBF titles he won in London last September.
Usyk calls Fury
Joshua had some success in the fight – and enjoyed his best round in the ninth round, knocking out Usyk and unleashing a barrage of punches, reminiscent of the old AJ.
But that was Usyk’s shining form, he came back to fight in the 10th round and took it clean after this. Usyk combined five punches, and Joshua became a sitting duck.
Joshua weary and Usyk – who just a few months ago was defending his country against a Russian invasion – took a complete advantage in the championship rounds.
“I dedicate this victory to my family, to my country, to my team, to all the troops that defend this country – thank you very much,” he said, before naming WBC champion Tyson. Fury.
“I’m sure Tyson Fury hasn’t retired yet. I believe he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I don’t fight Fury, I won’t fight at all.
“Only God knows if I will fight him or not but all the gentlemen here around me, my team, they will help me.”
Fury recently announced his retirement but will have until August 26 to decide if he will give up the belt.
The Gypsy king took to social media to criticize both boxers, and may not be able to box yet. The carrot of the clash with Usyk – who is sure to cement the legacy of the winner as the all-time great – hangs in the air.
Usyk shines in Jeddah
The boxers perform a walk in the ring at about 01:00 local time. Even in those early hours, temperatures hit 30°C, as some 12,000 fans filled the air-conditioned King Abdullah Sport City stadium.
A crowd that had been somewhat subdued for much of the night came to life when Joshua – the challenger – took the first ring. Jeers’ voice echoed throughout the arena as Usyk followed. It’s clear who the fan favorite is.
Starting the fight, there were many questions about how far Joshua and new coach Robert Garcia had progressed, having only started working together this year.
The opening few innings were over, but the ones Usyk most likely passed. After three rounds, American Garcia told Joshua that he had won every round.
The champ had time to recover in the fifth round after a low strike by Joshua made him wince. A combination of Joshua’s mid lane and header, from close range, was the sixth round pick.
As the fight progressed, Usyk’s movements began to determine the battle. He landed left in the seventh round, before Joshua made two smart hits to the body in the eighth round.
Then came the two most memorable rounds, of the 24 rounds between the two boxers. Joshua gave it everything on the ninth, and seemed to bother Usyk. Maybe it was a plot from Usyk to tire Joshua. In round 10, he broke Joshua’s resolve – and continued the fight.
Did Joshua respond to his critics?
Before the match, Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn insisted defeat was not retirement but described the match as a must-win.
After losing his third in five rounds, Joshua must now recover his career. But he can get positives out of his performance. His fame and legacy have been dealt a blow, but perhaps not as badly as many had anticipated.
In June 2019, Joshua suffered a shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in New York. Six months later, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Joshua regained his heavyweight crown with a disciplined victory.
However, defeating Usyk is a completely different challenge. Joshua goes up against a star who weighs more than a pound – the hardest in the men’s slash games. And he is facing a patriotic Ukrainian determined to bring much-needed joy to a nation divided by war.
Boxing fans want to see some hearts and fights from Joshua. In the 10th round, when attacked by Usyk, he barked “at” his opponent.
Such is the beast of heavyweight boxing and the level of fame bestowed on Joshua, there will always be criticism. This time, however, it’s probably not for his performance, but for his post-match interview.
