Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk beat Britain's Anthony Joshua on a surprise split points decision after 12 hard rounds to retain his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world heavyweight boxing belts in Jeddah on Sunday.
The fight in Saudi Arabia was a rematch of one in London in
September, which Usyk won on a unanimous decision to take the belts from
Joshua, but fought with much more intensity and emotion.
The pressure was on both more than ever, with Usyk this time
representing a country fighting for its existence after a Russian invasion
while Joshua was battling for his boxing future.
Usyk appeared comfortably ahead as the final bell rang at
the King Abdullah Sports City Arena but the American judge awarded the fight 115-113
to Joshua, with the British and Ukrainian judges deciding 115-113 and 116-112
to Usyk.
The victory took the 35-year-old's professional record to 20
fights undefeated while Joshua, 32, suffered the third defeat of his career.
Joshua, who had held aloft the Ukrainian flag with Usyk as
they waited for the decision in what seemed an acceptance of defeat, then had
an uncharacteristic meltdown after a fight billed as "Rage on the Red
Sea."
He took two of the belts, dropping them as he left the ring
and headed for the dressing room before turning around and stepping back
between the ropes to take the microphone and address the crowd.
"Usyk is one hell of a fighter. That’s just emotion," declared the Briton.
"For this guy to beat me tonight, maybe I could have
done better but it shows the levels of hard work he must have put in, so please
give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world.
"I was studying Ukraine and all the champions from your
amazing country. I’ve never been there. What’s happening there, I don’t know
but it’s not nice ... under those circumstances he's managed to become
champion."
The opening round was tentative, with Joshua's corner
calling for him to adjust his rhythm, and the bout continued with Usyk
constantly moving and using his jab and body shots to good effect.
Round nine raised the tempo dramatically, with Joshua
enjoying his best round before Usyk came back hard in the 10th.
Needing a knockout and running out of time, the taller and
heavier Joshua was unable to land the telling blows against an agile and
elusive opponent who hit back hard.
At the final bell the two embraced, with the Ukrainian
sinking to his knees.
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