Usyk beats Joshua again, retains world heavyweight belts

KING ABDULLAH SPORTS CITY, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk retained his world heavyweight titles with a break up resolution win over Anthony Joshua on Saturday in a rematch in Saudi Arabia that was nearer than final yr’s first struggle.

Each fighters held up the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag because the judges’ scores had been learn out at King Abdullah Sport Metropolis area close to Jeddah. When he was declared the winner, Usyk hid his face behind the flag.

The 35-year-old Usyk stored his WBA, WBO and IBF belts six months after serving within the Ukrainian military as a part of the nation’s protection in opposition to Russia’s invasion.

Inspired by a pre-fight message from Ukraine’s president, Usyk carried the burden of a war-torn nation in a struggle that was on free-to-air TV in his native nation and he needed to climate a sustained physique assault from an improved Joshua to safe the win.

Each boxers regarded exhausted on the last bell. Usyk fell to the canvas and regarded to the sky and was quickly joined there by Joshua, who embraced his opponent and appeared to supply his assist to the plight of Ukraine.

In an expletive-laden speech contained in the ring, Joshua praised Usyk for combating so nicely within the circumstances.

Usyk additionally claimed the Ring Journal belt with the win. There’s just one heavyweight title that Usyk doesn’t personal — the WBC one which was vacated this yr by Tyson Fury, who says he’s retired.

When requested about Fury, Usyk stated: “I’m certain Tyson Fury shouldn’t be retired but. I’m certain Tyson Fury needs to struggle me. If I’m not combating Tyson Fury, I’m not combating in any respect.”

Two judges gave it to Usyk, one 115-113 and the opposite 116-112. The opposite gave the struggle to Joshua, 115-113.

Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, fell to his third loss in 27 fights and his profession is at a crossroads.

The place Usyk goes from now seems to depend upon Fury.

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