Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk retained his world heavyweight title with a split decision win over Anthony Joshua on Sunday morning in a rematch in Saudi Arabia that was closer than last year’s first fight.
A very spirited Joshua, 32, showed some aggressiveness and intent – a vast improvement from their first fight – but could not match the brilliance and ring savviness of the Ukrainian.
Two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 to Usyk, while a third judge gave it 115-113 to the challenger. While there were some close rounds, Usyk was the deserved winner.
At the end of the fight, a furious Joshua – quite bizarrely – picked up two of Usyk’s belts, dropped them on the floor and strode towards the dressing room, before turning around and getting back into the ring to give an impassioned speech.
Joshua, however, could not contain his emotions after the bout. “If you knew my story you would understand the passion. I am not an amateur boxer from five years old that was an elite prospect from youth. I was going to jail, I got bail and I started training my arse off, I wanted to be able to fight,” he roared.
It was Usyk’s moment, yet Joshua was alone with the microphone and kept on talking.
“This guy beat me tonight, maybe I could have done better, but it shows the level of hard work I put in so please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world,” Joshua said.
Moments later, the defending champion, Usyk said, “I did this victory for my country, for all people, militaries who are defending the country. Thank you very, very much.
“This is already historic. Many generations are going to watch this fight, especially the round when someone tried to beat me hard, but I withstood it and turned it differently.”
