Nigerian-British Anthony Joshua failed to win his boxing unification rematch against Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday, August 20 at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in the coastal city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He lost to Usyk by a split decision.
It was a keenly contested match with Anthony Joshua showing promise earlier in the match, taking the early rounds according to the cards.
But his attempt to outpunch his opponent throughout the match would be his undoing as his opponent reversed the aggression on Joshua in the latter rounds.
If there was any attempt by Joshua to land the knockout punch throughout the match, it never came as Usyk showed superior technical skill to retain the titles.
So grueling was the encounter that because of amount of sweat produced by the two boxers, it was feared the floor might become too slippery for the boxers’ footing.
In the end, it was down to the judges 115-113 for Joshua. 115-113 to Usyk and 116-112 to Usyk to land the winner a split decision to retain the IBF, WBA (super), WBO and win the Ring Magazine heavyweight titles.
In a sign of respect by Joshua and a show of solidarity, both men held the Ukraine flag aloft.
Usyk had been in Ukraine as a soldier fighting against the Russian invasion.
He took a leave from the warfront to prepare for his defence against Joshua.
