It was second time unlucky for Nigerian-British boxer Anthony Joshua as he lost his second fight to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk by split decision.
In a tense, tactical bout held in Saudi Arabia, Usyk was declared winner after two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 to Usyk and the third gave it 115-113 to Joshua.
Unlike in their first encounter in London in 2021, Joshua showed more aggression and intent to take out Usyk.
In fact, Joshua had the Ukrainian nearly on the ropes in round nine – only just mission out from knocking him down.
However, Usyk once again showed grit and tenacity and rebounded in round ten to take the sting out of Joshua.
Usyk’s win saw him take his conquest to 20 wins in 20 matches.
Read Also: Boxing: Anthony Joshua Triggers Rematch With Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua to retain heavyweight titles pic.twitter.com/R4hoTKkLab
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) August 21, 2022
The 32-year old fumed at the outcome as he threw Usyk’s belts out of the ring before appearing to storm off.
Confronting the opponent after he's been judged winner ("you're not strong, how did you beat me?"), throwing away the belt your are supposed to hand over, and then stealing the winner's moment with a self-absorbed, longwinded, and unsolicited speech. This is embarrassing. https://t.co/P5RRHy4994
— Múyìwá Mátùlúkò (@MuyoSan) August 21, 2022
U-Turn
After much counselling and persuasion, Joshua later returned to the ring and gave a passionate speech.
“If you knew my story, you’d understand the passion. I’m not an amateur boxer. I was going to jail and I got bail and I started training,” he said.
“It shows the passion we put into this. For this guy to beat me tonight, it shows the levels of hard work he must have put in, so please give him a round of applause as heavyweight champion of world.
“They said that I’m not a 12-round fighter. I ain’t 14 stone, I’m 18 stone, I’m heavy. It’s hard work. This guy here is phenomenal,” Joshua added.
This is Joshua’s third defeat in five matches.
What happens going forward is still up for conjecture.
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