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
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Ziyad Almaayouf def. Jose Alatorre via first-round TKO (2:55).
A successful pro debut for Almaayouf! An unsuccessful but promising one for Mexican Alattore.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Almaayouf vs Alatorre – Round 1
This was meant to be a showcase for Almaayouf, but Alatorre starts quickly! He gets right after the Saudi Arabian and even hurts him with a left hook!
Alatorre is mainly throwing straight punches, however, and Almaayouf is trying to come around the sides with hooks.
He’s starting to land more effectively, and drops Alatorre with a right hand! Alatorre beats the count and goes after Almaayouf, but the home favourite pours on more counter hooks and puts Alatorre down again with another right hook!
And it’s all over!
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Next up is Ziyad Almaayouf vs Jose Alatorre at super-lightweight.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Ali: “I feel really good. I feel like I need to go back and do some more pads – I didn’t really get out of first gear, but it’s cool having a stoppage. It’s just gone over my head.
“I haven’t seen [the finish] yet, so I need to watch it back.”
Ali is now 7-0 as a professional.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Ramla Ali def. Crystal Garcia Nova via first-round TKO (1:05).
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Ali vs Nova – Round 1
Nova with good counter punches as Ali storms forward early on, but Ali responds with a heavy right hook...
And Nova is already down against the ropes! Her mouthguard is sent fying by a right cross from Ali!
Nova cannot answer the count; Ali gets the win just outside the first minute to stay unbeaten!
Usyk vs Joshua 2
The main card begins now!
First up, Ramla Ali faces Crystal Garcia Nova in the first professional women’s boxing match to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Ramla Ali sees Saudi Arabia as ‘very progressive’ ahead of historic Jeddah fight
The British-Somali fighter will take part in the first women’s bout in the country on the undercard of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua bill
Usyk vs Joshua 2
“It’s been a long, arduous journey for Oleksandr Usyk since becoming world heavyweight champion to what promises to be a historic night in Jeddah on Saturday. A mercurial talent, elevating the sport over the last decade by rising through the divisions with a combination of mesmerising angles and majestic footwork, which left Anthony Joshua in a daze at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September.
“But while Usyk pens another absorbing chapter to the rich history of the heavyweight division, this fascinating talent has shouldered the burden of his status around the world as Ukraine fights for freedom in the war against Russia.
“’I’m motivated by the people of Ukraine, who are struggling hard to defend our independence, to defend our freedom and defend our culture, which other people want to demolish and destroy,’ said Usyk.”
Full article by Jack Rathborn:
Oleksandr Usyk represents hope as Ukraine continues fight for freedom
The world heavyweight champion’s rematch against Anthony Joshua represents more than just the belts amid Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia
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