Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 LIVE: Result and reaction as Usyk wins thrilling fight by split decision

Usyk on the fight: “This is already history. Many generations watch this fight, especially the round, when somebody tried to beat me hard, but I stood there and turned it in a different way.

“Yes, of course [I thought I won].”

Usyk on Fury: “I’m sure that Fury is not retired yet. I’m convinced he wants to fight me, I want to fight him, if I’m not fighting Fury, I’m not fighting at all.

“Only God knows if I will be undisputed or not. All these gentlemen around me, my team, they’ll help me.

“Thanks Lord for everything.”

Usyk: "I want to thank everybody who prayed for me. I want to thank God for the help he gave me. My lord is Jesus Christ.

“Thank you so much.”

Usyk then asked about the people back in Ukraine watching.

He adds: “I devote this victory to my country, my family, my team, military defending the country. Thank you very much.”

Joshua: “I’m not a 12-round fighter. They say, ‘he doesn’t throw combinations like Sonny Liston.’ Yes, that’s because I’m 18 stone, I’m a big guy!”

Joshua: “This guy is a phenomenal talent, how many belts you got bro, five? Hip-hip, horay!

“I studied all your champions, what’s happening there, I don’t know, but I know it’s not nice.

“There were issues in Ukraine. Klitschko vs Williams. Usyk, under those circumstances, he became champ.”

Fireworks set off outside the dome.

Joshua is furious for some reason? Marching back to the dressing room.

But he’s back now, grabbing two of the belts, the ring belt and the WBA Super belt, he then chucks them down.

Joshua to Usyk: “Skills win boxing, you’re not strong, how did you beat me? I had character!

“Usyk one hell of a fighter, that’s just emotion. Please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world.”

115-113 for Joshua. 115-113 to Usyk....

And 116-112 for the winner by split decision... AND STILL! Usyk wins!

Some late drama there, with the Glenn Feldman card, controversial?

Both men hold the Ukraine flag aloft. Great respect between the fighters.

We go to the cards but there’s surely only one winner. This is Usyk’s fight and he’ll retain the belts barring an absolute robbery.

This has been a valiant performance by Joshua and an improvement on the first fight but Usyk is such a clean fighter.

The Brit lands a body shot but he needs to go big now. Risk or reward for AJ now.

Usyk still keeping him at range although Joshua throws a right that wobbles the champ slightly!

Usyk getting underneath Joshua’s shots, spinning out and not getting pinned on the ropes. Joshua looks tired and into the final minute, he takes a couple of lefts to the head.

Last few seconds and it gets scrappy as the men clinch and almost run around the ring together. He’s going to come up short here.

Both men starting to throw bigger shots and Joshua will know he probably needs a knockout.

Joshua goes back to the body but Usyk still buzzing out of range. Body shot in the middle of the round looks to hurt Usyk slightly!

He recovers and lands some pot-shots from range. Both fighters starting to look tired and the referee has to separate an extended clinch late on.

Joshua probably needs a 12th round knockout.

Usyk starts fast, buzzing in and throwing hard and fast.

Left hand but Joshua takes it well, big power shots, Joshua again standing tall.

Did AJ anger him in that last round? This is the most spiteful Usyk has been in the rematch.

Big shot from Joshua! Usyk shaken. Massive shift in momentum.

What a round and we’re heading for a thrilling conclusion.