USYK vs Anthony Joshua: Usyk wins, beats AJ by split decision in Saudi rematch.
Usyk retains the heavyweight title with a split decision victory over Joshua.
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 115-113 and 116-112 by the other two judges, and the Ukrainian retains his titles.
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Addressing the crowd after the fight, Joshua said he had an elite prospect from his 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.”
“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,” he added.
The USYK vs Anthony Joshua bout gallery
Enjoy the fight in pictures.
