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
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Anthony Joshua left broken and crushed by brave defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
Usyk vs Joshua 2
The anthems are over, Michael Buffer is almost done speaking... Final predictions?
Usyk having his face wiped down with vaseline it seems.
Robert Garcia with some words of encouragement for AJ.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Now it’s the turn of Usyk, a white jacket over the top of his signature “Colours of Freedom” t-shirt he’s been wearing in the build-up to this fight.
The folk band Tin Sontsia is Usyk’s entrance music once again.
The talking is almost over, we’re moments away from that first bell.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Joshua is dressed in all black, a sleeveless hoodie, he jumps into the ring.
He looks confident. The wait is almost over!
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang reaction
A lucky boy, Hrgovic gets the nod. A bizarre performance.
Clarke: “It was strange, he’s had a few family problems. Both guys, is the heat an issue? Everything seemed off.
“Zhang boxed better than I thought, I had it a draw. You could’ve given it to either by a round.”
Okolie: “I think it was down to Zhang being methodical, it lured Hrgovic into that rhythm. As you get more tired, you get more distracted.”
Froch: “I think Hrgovic took Zhang lightly. I thought Zhang boxed well. Hrgovic couldn’t get into it. The right man won.”
Okolie: “Give me some time.”
Clarke: “That’s the level I want to get to, I can compete with that. They’ll have some words in the champ. That wouldn’t be good enough to compete with Usyk, Joshua or Fury.”
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang
We go to the scorecards...
115-112, 115-112, 114-113, all three scorecards and winner of the IBF world title eliminator... Hrgovic!
Usyk vs Joshua 2 undercard: Hrgovic vs Zhang - Round 12
Cards could be all over the place here!
Final push for Hrgovic, he’s on top in the first minute of the final round.
Zhang waiting for an opening. Hrgovic prodding the jab, then a big right. Zhang grabs hold of him.
Both men slipping still, this looks done with 30 seconds remaining. Both men raise their hands. Zhang bends over in the corner, no celebration, but he could have nicked this.
Nisse Sauderland believes his man Hrgovic has won it.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
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