Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 LIVE: Result and reaction as Usyk wins thrilling fight by split decision
Follow the reaction as Usyk beats AJ in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia before some bizarre post-fight shenanigans
Oleksandr Usyk retained his world heavyweight titles with a split decision win over Anthony Joshua on Saturday in a rematch in Saudi Arabia that was closer than last year’s first fight.
Both fighters held up the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag as the judges’ scores were read out at King Abdullah Sport City arena. When he was declared the winner, Usyk hid his face behind the flag. The 35-year-old Usyk kept his WBA, WBO and IBF belts six months after serving in the Ukrainian army as part of the country’s defence against Russia’s invasion.
Joshua was much improved but Usyk demonstrated his technical brilliance to triumph 115-113, 116-112, 113-115 on the scorecards. After the fight, Joshua stormed out of the ring before returning and giving a bizarre speech to the crowd.
Follow reaction from Joshua’s defeat below:
Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua in heavyweight title rematch with split decision victory
Tyson Fury says he would ‘annihilate’ Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in one night after Ukrainian’s win 
Anthony Joshua ‘left out to dry by his team’ during post-fight outburst, says Frazer Clarke
Anthony Joshua left broken and crushed by brave defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang - Round 10
Hrgovic given a talking to. Macklin says he has Zhang up by two rounds with three rounds to go.
Could the knockdown be crucial? Was that lapse in concentration with Zhang looking unlikely to win any more rounds costly?
Hrgovic dictating the tempo again, Zhang taking a break, complaining about the canvas and water or sweat.
Hrgovic sniffing a stoppage, this has been quite entertaining. Hrgovic landing big combinations. Has he weathered the storm?
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang - Round 9
Hrgovic with a big right hand to open the ninth!
Neither men look a threat to Usyk or Joshua at some point in 2023. A timeout with water on the canvas.
Not much coming back from Zhang now, more surviving in there.
Huge shots from Zhang, Hrgovic looks out on his feet, big lefts pushed down the pipe. Hrgovic couldn’t defend himself at the end of the round, turned away and took a big shot. The Chinese fighter fancies this! Massive last minute, did he pinch the round?
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang - Round 8
Zhang tired in the corner, but he bounced a few big shots off the top of Hrgovic’s head in the seventh.
Great combination from Hrgovic, now Zhang looks tired, takes a big right. The hand speed is back. The Chinese fighter moaning to the referee.
Hrgovic much happier after that, but then falls into his corner. Both men very tired.
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang - Round 7
Matt Macklin has Zhang ahead on the cards, Hrgovic has got his legs back.
But both men tired now as we enter the second half of the bout.
A good round from the Croatian. The pace drops in the final 30 seconds, Zhang not taking a risk though, maybe a round off for him.
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang - Round 6
Odell Beckham Jr is in the house. Currently injured and without a team after leaving the Los Angeles Rams after winning the Super Bowl, his NFL future will become clearer in a few months.
For now he’s enjoying the boxing in Jeddah.
Zhang now on the front foot, has Hrgovic underestimated the Chinese man?
Zhang is taking him out here! WOW!
Hrgovic battered around the ring here, a stunning upset on the cards, surely? Hrgovic still 5/6 in-play, Zhang EVENS.
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang - Round 5
More smart work from Hrgovic, but Zhang looks OK in there.
Breathing heavily, sure, but not overoared by the Croatian’s output, even if he is winning this round.
Zhang lands big! Hrgovic tagged heavily in final few seconds. Still a Hrgovic round but he needs to be careful.
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang - Round 4
More impressive work from Zhang, a close round though.
Hrgovic putting punches in bunches, but that long straight left from Zhang is dangerous.
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang - Round 3
That’s a horrid cut for Hrgovic, lots of blood, this bout looks in trouble here?
Zhang is cut too. But Hrgovic sees the doctor, who waves it on. Both men touch gloves, a round of applause.
Zhang with more handspeed, causing problems. Then a tight defence to end the round. He takes the round, leads 2-1 for us.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments