Black Sunday, August 21, 2022, will remain in the heads, hearts and minds of Nigerians for a very long time as two of the country’s famous athletes were on Sunday made to suffer defeats on two fronts – boxing ring and mixed martial arts octagon.
Anthony Joshua and Kamaru Usman would both have many rhetorical questions to ask as per what really transpired at the ring and octagon respectively, bowing to their respective opponents on the night.
It started with the defeat of the r heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua who fought Ukrainian, Oleksandr Usyk in a bout he hoped to regain his IBF, IBO, WBA (Super) and – Joshua had lost to the Ukrainian 9 months ago via unanimous decision but was keen on reclaiming his belts and seek the unification with Tyson Fury (WBC champion) for the undisputed heavyweight champion of the boxing world.
In front of about 12,000 fans who filled out an air-conditioned King Abdulla Sports City Arena, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Anthony Joshua was for the second time beaten by Usyk.
After twelve rounds of exchanging blows – Usyk apparently dominated the d bout – two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 to Usyk, while a third judge gave it 115-113 to the challenger.
Anthony Joshua would go on to exhibit some questionable display, but that would be addressed later on.
Opinion: Joshua for the umpteenth time demonstrated that he’s not cut out for the heavyweight category. Yes, he had won bouts in the past, but his recent bouts haven’t shown that. A fighter who’s aiming to unify the boxing rings shouldn’t be dragging opponents he’s fancied to beat to 12 rounds. I feel he’s missing that killer instinct required from a real heavyweight fighter and his current state is saying a lot about his mental well-being.
Joshua needs to be out of the boxing circle for a while, travel around, take away boxing from his mind and get refreshed for battles ahead, if at all he would want to come back into the ring.
What next? Get medical attention and take out time to rest as he returns to the queue for another opportunity to be reenlisted for future challenges.
On the same night, Nigerians shifted attention to the Mixed Martial Arts – a scene they were so confident that they can be consoled from Joshua’s defeat – all hopes were placed on the shoulder of Kamaru Usman.
In the UFC 278 main event Saturday At the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) knocked welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) unconscious with an unexpected head kick, just 50 seconds away from the Nigerian reclaiming his belt – at his sixth defence.
Just when it looked like Usman was going to be declared the d winner with obvious dominance over his opponents, Leon Edwards sent cold blood down the spine of the entire crowd at the arena as well as viewers from every part of the world with the unthinkable.
Usman was down, attended to by his team and then back on his feet, he was shocked at what he saw; he asked his team questions about how it happened – bittered, but maintained his composure as he walked off the cage.
Opinion
Rated by many to go all out and defend his title – Usman was on the verge of emerging champion and made to reality all predictions and analysis tilting towards him winning – but in sports, it’s never over until it’s over.
Usman definitely bewildered by what transpired in split seconds would keep asking himself how that happened, until he wins his next fight and beyond.
Usman no doubt will always be supported by many anytime he takes to the octagon – this will be one of the reasons he would be activating a rematch with Edward. This though is an unexpected defeat, it will, however, serve as a new learning curve for the 35-year-old going into another fight, possibly a rematch sometime in early next year.
What next?
2 defeats in 22 fights, Usman would definitely need medical attention as he looked injured from that kick; he will take out time to rest and probably in one month return to training as his management team works out modalities in reactivating a rematch.