Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Anthony Joshua vs Usyk LIVE: Fight result, reaction and boxing highlights

Follow live reaction after the Briton lost his IBF, WBO and WBA titles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Dylan Terry,Jack Rathborn
Sunday 26 September 2021 07:13 EDT
Comments
Anthony Joshua arrives at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for his fight with Usyk

Follow live coverage after Oleksandr Usyk produced a flawless display of boxing to beat Anthony Joshua and dethrone him as world heavyweight champion.

The former unified cruiserweight champion was punch perfect as he hurt Joshua early and often on his way to a deserved and unanimous points victory (117-112, 116-112, 115-113) in front of more than 63,000 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Ukrainian’s performance hands Joshua only the second professional defeat of his career in just his third fight at heavyweight and leaves hopes of an all-British clash with Tyson Fury in tatters.

Instead a rematch to attempt win back his IBF, WBO and WBA straps will surely be next after a chastening evening for the now former champ. Follow live reaction and analysis below from a big night of boxing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard

In among all the aftermath of that it was easy to lose sight of the fact that Callum Smith looked absolutely superb. A real statement performance from the Liverpudlian in his first fight since December last year.

Smith will be a handful for anyone in the 175 pound division.

(©Ian Walton Matchroom Boxing)
Dylan Terry25 September 2021 19:34

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard

Dylan Terry25 September 2021 19:29

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard

The knockout was vicious, brutal. But Castillo is now being carried off on a stretcher. A hush has descended upon the stadium. Everyone is clearly very concerned.

Smith went from celebration to consolation very quickly. He looks as concerned as everyone else.

A round of applause as Castillo is carried away on a stretcher.

(©Ian Walton Matchroom Boxing)
Dylan Terry25 September 2021 19:24

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard

Smith wins via second round stoppage

This one didn’t last long and that is a worrying knockout. A huge one-two from Smith lays Castillo out. A textbook combination from Smith and a statement win from the newest addition to the light-heavyweight division.

But, more importantly, Lenin Castillo’s leg was shaking in a very worrying way after he hit the canvas. He looked very distressed and the referee waved it off very quickly.

The medics are in the ring.

Dylan Terry25 September 2021 19:19

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard

Wouldn’t fancy getting in the way of this...

Dillian Whyte returns to the ring on October 30 when he faces Otto Wallin. Whyte still waiting for that world title shot that has somehow eluded him his entire career so far.

Dylan Terry25 September 2021 19:15

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard

Smith vs Castillo

Here we go then with our second televised contest of the night. Callum Smith faces Lenin Castillo. It’s the Brit’s first fight up at light-heavyweight. Will be interesting to see how he gets on.

Dylan Terry25 September 2021 19:13

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard

Callum Smith up soon. He returns for the first time since being beaten by Canelo Alvarez in a super-middleweight unification at the end of last year.

What can he do now he is at light-heavyweight? He comes up against the season Lenin Castillo very shortly.

(Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Dylan Terry25 September 2021 19:09

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard

Marku gets the nod by the finest of margins. That being said, he deserved the victory and should have gotten it on all three judges scorecards.

(©Eddie Keogh Matchroom Boxing)
Dylan Terry25 September 2021 19:04

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard

Marku wins

As expected, Florian Marku gets the decision but it is MUCH, MUCH closer than some expected.

The scorecards are as followed. 99-91 Prodan, 97-93 Marku, 96-94 Marku.

99-91 Prodan!!! That is an unbelievable card!! What on EARTH were they watching?!

Dylan Terry25 September 2021 18:59

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard

Marku vs Prodan

Matthew Macklin’s unofficial scorecard on Sky Sports is very wide for Marku - he has only given Prodan one round. I think that’s harsh, but the Albanian has produced the better quality over the ten rounds.

Marku ends strongly as he snaps the head back with the jab once more. He raises his arm inside the last 20 seconds under the assumption he has done enough to win. He almost certainly has.

Think we could be looking at some 97-93 scorecards in favour of Marku. Something in that ballpark.

Dylan Terry25 September 2021 18:56

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in