Alexander Usik and Anthony Joshua Photo: Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Couldridge
On the night of Sunday in the heavyweight grand duel of Hotspur Stadium of the English football club Totenhem, Anthony Joshua (24-2) lost to the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usik (19-0) in an impressive fight. Joshua did not protect his World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) champion belts, all of which became owned by Usik.
The new heavyweight champion of the world ????????
Oleksandr Usyk defeats Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision to take the WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO belts. pic.twitter.com/2xYiKDPXHz
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 25, 2021
In the first round, the two boxers tested each other, but Usik managed to make an accurate shot in Joshua’s jaw, followed by the British boxer’s response. In the second round, the two exchanged several attacks, but in the third, Usiks showed a dominant performance and carried out several dangerous attacks. The pace offered by Usika was awkward for the tallest and heaviest Joshua, because the Ukrainian in the ring was much more mobile than a hint. Continuing the fight, the weight cups began to balance, as Joshua made several powerful blows in the sixth round, shaking the Ukrainian.
Joshua & Usyk are putting on a show ????#JoshuaUsyk pic.twitter.com/0pknYVgvBX
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 25, 2021
In the seventh round, Usiks attacked better, who after one of the blows caused the home keeper to lose his balance. Usik made several precise blows, deafening Joshua, who was holding on like a rock. As the fight continued, the two boxers exchanged strong attacks, but Usic was more dangerous. In the 10th round, Joshua crossed Usik’s eyebrow, aggravating the Ukrainian situation. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian athlete showed remarkable resistance and “did not fall out”. At the end of the 12th or final round, Usik was very close to killing his opponent, but Joshua was unbeatable. At the end of the duel, Usik celebrated success. Although we still had to wait for the judges ‘result, it was clear that the champion was Ukrainian, which was confirmed after the judges’ judgment.
Oleksandr Usyk with a grand finish – champion performance. It was at this point Anthony Joshua saw stars! Wow! ????????????#JoshuaUsyk pic.twitter.com/VoY2ManGyB
– And (@iamOkon) September 25, 2021
Joshua, 31, had his last fight in December, when he defeated Bulgarian Kubrat Pula. Joshua has played 26 fights in professional boxing, of which 24 have won, 22 of them with a slaughter. Meanwhile, the 34-year-old Usik last fought in October, when he defeated the British Derek Chisor by points.
Ukraine has won three heavyweights and won all of them. Usikam has 19 fights behind him in professional boxing – all won, 13 of them with a slaughter. In January 2018, he defeated Latvian Mairi Briedi in points in the first heavyweight category semi-final of the first season of the World Boxing Super Series in Riga.
This is an amazing fight! Please don’t tell the boxing is dead crowd this is happening. Amazing action. Usyk looking great.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 25, 2021
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