Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk took a second consecutive victory over Anthony Joshua, retaining the world heavyweight titles
Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk took a second consecutive victory over British Anthony Joshua to defend his unified WBO, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles over the course of a 12-round battle.
Usyk triumphed on a split decision at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah, taking it 116-112 and 115-113 respectively on the cards of Ukraine’s Viktor Fesechko and Britain’s Steve Gray. Glenn Feldman of the USA scored 115-113 for Joshua.
When the defending champion Usyk got his opportunity to speak, he said: “I did this victory for my country, for all people, militaries who are defending the country. Thank you very, very much… This is already historic. Many generations are going to watch this fight, especially the round when someone tried to beat me hard, but I withstood it and turned it in a different way.”
Usyk holds three of the four major heavyweight belts. There is only one missing from his collection. Tyson Fury, ostensibly retired, still holds the WBC title. That’s the only fight Usyk is interested in.
“I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet,” the champion said. “I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me.”
