Usyk beats Anthony Joshua again to retain heavyweight titles

Ukrainian heavyweight boxer, Oleksandr Usyk has retained his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles in a rematch against Anthony Joshua, he won via a split decision.

A spirited Joshua in the clash billed, the Rage on the Red Sea, managed to show some relentless speed, distance, clean landings, and intent but could not match the brilliance and ring savviness of Usyk.

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 rounds too close, Usyk became the winner. Joshua has now suffered back-to-back defeats in the hands of Usyk.  

The Ukrainian won the WBA (Super), WBO, and IBF titles in London last September.

“Usyk is one hell of a fighter. That’s just emotion,” he said. “If you knew my story, you’d understand the passion. I’m not an amateur boxer. I was going to jail and I got bail and I started training. It shows the passion we put into this. For this guy to beat me tonight, it shows the levels of hard work he must have put in, so please give him a round of applause as heavyweight champion of the world.

“They said that I’m not a 12-round fighter. I ain’t 14 stone, I’m 18 stone, I’m heavy. It’s hard work. This guy here is phenomenal,” Joshua said in a post-match rant on the ring which observers attributed to a concussion.

At the end of the fight, Anthony Joshua picked up two of Usyk’s belts, dropped them on the floor, and walked towards the dressing room, but turned around and got into the ring again and began a rant that also included pulling some of Usyk’s team-members.

The Anglo-Nigerian had massive success in the fight and was well leading by the 9th round but Usyk came back fighting in the 10th round and landed clean blows on the Londoner. Usyk landed a five-punch combination, and Joshua became fatigued and he took full advantage in the championship rounds.

By: Agaatorne Douglas Asaah | myactiveonline.com

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