Usyk beats Joshua by a split decision to retain the heavyweight title fight.
Usyk lands more solid jabs on Joshua in the final round and the former champion tries to counter with punches of his own.
There’s a moment of drama as the scores are read out, with Joshua awarded a 115-113 decision by the first judge.
However, Usyk is awarded it 115-113 and 116-112 by the other two judges, and the Ukrainian retains his titles.
Addressing the crowd after the fight, Joshua said he had an elite prospect from youth.
“If you knew my story you would understand the passion. I ain’t no 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.
“I’m stealing this Usyk I’m sorry, but it’s because of the passion we put into this. This guy to 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.”
He added, “I’m not a 12-round fighter, look at me, I’m a new breed of heavyweights, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey, ‘you don’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano’, I’m 18 stone, I’m heavy, it’s hard work. This guy here is a phenomenal talent, we’re going to cheer for him three times.”
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk says his rematch victory over Anthony Joshua is history made and dedicated it to his country Ukraine currently at war with Russia.
In his post fight speech, Usyk said: “I want to thank everyone who prayed for me. I want to thank God for the help he gave me today because he did give me a lot today. My lord is Jesus Christ. I can thank you Saudi. Thank you so much.
“I devote this victory to my family, my country, my team, to all the military defending this country. Thank you so much.
“This is already history. Many generations are going to watch this fight especially the round when someone tried to beat me hard but I stood it and came back.”
On if he will fight Tyson Fury to unify the titles, he said: “I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I’m not fighting Fury I’m not fighting at all.
“Only God knows whether I will fight him or not but all these gentlemen here around me, my team, they are going to help me.
“Thanks Lord for everything.”
(AFP)
