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
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Anthony Joshua left broken and crushed by brave defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Is Joshua’s best bet to target the body of Usyk?
The closest thing to a weakness that the Ukrainian has ever exhibited has been a slight succeptability to the mid-section.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Next up, Callum Smith takes on Mathieu Bauderlique at light-heavyweight.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Where was Joshua vs Usyk 1 won and lost?
The Ukrainian outpointed ‘AJ’ via unanimous decision last September by scorecards of 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Slowly but surely, the main event is edging closer...
Anthony Joshua eyes revenge and redemption in Oleksandr Usyk rematch
It has been nearly a year since Usyk outpointed Joshua in front of 67,000 bemused fans in north London. Now the Brit gets his shot to reclaim his titles
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Badou Jack def. Richard Rivera via split decision (96-94, 94-96, 96-94).
A close contest, which could have gone either way. Crucially, Jack won the four-minute round...
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Jack vs Rivera – Round 10
That leaping left hook is still proving effective for Jack.
The pattern is continuing: Rivera with combinations that aren’t landing too heavily, and Jack with single, stern counter shots that are tagging his opponent cleanly.
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Jack vs Rivera – Round 9
That round went 3:58. Incredible. Jack was really pouring on the pressure in that final minute, too!
Jack comes forward again in this round, as the pattern of the last few frames continues. He’s landing less here, though.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Jack vs Rivera – Round 8
Jack with a powerful uppercut off the break of a clinch. Rivera with spiteful hooks to the body as retaliation, and Jack wobbles back somewhat.
Rivera peppers Jack with a series of light hooks to the head, but Jack responds with one of his own – and it’s much more powerful!
He then leaps into another left hand! Is he starting to sense a finish?
Wow... That round went four minutes! What an oversight from the timekeeper, at the expense of Rivera!! Bizarre.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Jack vs Rivera – Round 7
Jack applies more pressure and connects with an overhand right.
Rivera looks to get off the ropes but steps onto a jab. He fires back with a fine uppercut, though.
The pair get in close, and Jack flings more hooks into the ribcage of Rivera. Jack then rolls under a right hook and just misses with a left hook of his own, each man targeting the head.
Jack finds more success to the body. Is the bout swinging back in his favour?
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