Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (35) defended the WC Heavyweight titles when he won points for the second time against Anthony Joshua (32). Now he’s asking for a fight against Tyson Fury (34) to get in the ring again.
The match was held in the Super Dome of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Two judges got 115-113 per boxer, while the third judge got 116-112 in Osik’s favour.
Usyk may have been the winner in the vast majority, and if Joshua had taken the victory he would probably have been seen as very controversial, but it just didn’t happen that way.
After the defeat, Joshua surprisingly raised the microphone to the ring and praised Usik.
– He’s a hell of a fighter (good)! Joshua said, adding:
– It is unbelievable that he managed to become a hero despite what is happening in Ukraine.
And then the audience started shouting “Hero, hero!”.
– This victory was for my country, my family, my team, and the soldier who defends the homeland. Thank you very much! Usyk said clearly animated.
He is now unbeaten in 20 professional matches and, like Joshua, has earned the Olympic gold medal of his career. Joshua has now lost three times. He was fired by Andy Ruiz three years agobut He regained the titles in the return match.
After two losses to Usyk, it is uncertain what will happen next with the Briton.
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Last September, Usyk shocked the boxing world with only his third fight in the heavyweight category. He beat Joshua, deservedly winning points in front of more than 60,000 spectators in London.
Thus, the former cruiserweight champion was also at the top of the heavyweight throne with four of the five major world championship belts (WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO) on the merit list. Now Usyek has confirmed that he is the king.
The last WC (WBC) belt has been in the possession of Tyson Fury over the past few years, but the Briton claims to have given up. Then the question is whether he can be drawn into a big game to collect all the belts.
– I’m sure he’s not done yet and he wants to meet me. I want to meet him, said Usik, and if I can’t meet Fury, I don’t want to fight at all.
smooth opening
After a fairly quiet first run and wait and see, Joshua took the lead in rounds two and three. In the fourth round, Usyk showed much of what he had success with in the first match. Move well and take punches.
The trend continued into the fifth round, and Usyk was about to gain a clear advantage in the match. In the eighth round, he hit Joshua with two violent blows to the body, and in the ninth round the Briton was much better with it. He was driving wildly and Usyk was in real trouble, but he passed the round.
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It obviously provoked Usik, who regained the lead in the 10th round at a point where the fight really turned out. It was a great drama as they were both on thin ice, but Usyk has the upper hand.
– Round 10 is the best I’ve seen. Promoter Eddie Hearn, who supported Joshua all the way, said Usyk had a well deserved win and this guy is incredible.
Ten kilograms lighter and seven centimeters shorter, Usyk danced and moved with cheeky tricks and strokes in the eleventh round, looking like he was heading for another points win before the final round.
Joshua looked for the heavy hitters in the 12th round, knowing he was probably out on points. Usik responded with quick combinations, but was clearly shaken mid-round. He waited for his time, and finally two of the three judges brought with him.
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