Usyk beats Joshua again with masterful performance
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Michael Emons
All times stated are UK
Thanks and goodbye
That's all from tonight's boxing as Oleksandr Usyk gets a split decision points win over Anthony Joshua to hold on to his IBF, IBO, WBA (super) and WBO world heavyweight championship belts.
Could he fight WBC champion Tyson Fury for all the gold? Lennox Lewis, the last undisputed heavyweight champion, certainly thinks so.
Thanks for joining us and for your comments. Until next time, bye for now.
- See AlsoOleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 fight results, highlights: Ukrainian champion retains titles by decisionOleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua: Ukrainian challenger outclasses Briton by unanimous decisionBoxe - Combat Joshua - Usyk 2 : Usyk gagne pour l'Ukraine contre Joshua, conserve ses ceintures et veut défier Fury - EurosportAnthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk full fight video highlights
Spirited Joshua loses to Usyk by split decision - read the report
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at King Abdullah Sports City Arena, Jeddah
Briton Anthony Joshua's bid to recapture the unified heavyweight titles ended in disappointment as Oleksandr Usyk produced a terrific performance to win by split decision in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In a clash billed as the Rage on the Red Sea, a spirited Joshua, 32, showed some aggressiveness and intent - a vast improvement from their first fight - but could not match the brilliance and ring savviness of the Ukrainian.
Two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 to Usyk, while a third judge gave it 115-113 to the challenger. While there were some close rounds, Usyk was the deserved winner.
Joshua suffers back-to-back defeats to Usyk, with the Ukrainian retaining the WBA (Super), WBO and IBF titles he won in London last September.
At the end of the fight, the challenger picked up two of Usyk's belts, dropped them on the floor and strode towards the dressing room, before turning round and getting back into the ring.
"Usyk is one hell of a fighter. That's just emotion," he said. "If you knew my story, you'd understand the passion. I'm not an amateur boxer. I was going to jail and I got bail and I started training.
"It shows the passion we put into this. For this guy to beat me tonight, it shows the levels of hard work he must have put in, so please give him a round of applause as heavyweight champion of world.
"They said that I'm not a 12-round fighter. I ain't 14 stone, I'm 18 stone, I'm heavy. It's hard work. This guy here is phenomenal."
'One of the worst heavyweight fights I've ever seen'
Listen below to hear Tyson Fury's reaction at the end of the Usyk v Joshua fight.
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Where next for AJ? That's three defeats he's had now in his career, but there are still huge fights out there for him if he wants them.
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Sauce: As big an improvement it was from AJ, he was never going to beat Usyk who is simply a class above. Any time Usyk was in trouble he dug deep and countered even better. No shame in losing to such talent
Adam: Anthony Joshua was so frustrating to watch tonight. Gets himself in to good positions, with Usyk on the back foot and backs off. Needed to follow up and get nasty. People out there really think he beats Fury. C'mon now!
Rob: AJ gave it his best shot, Usyk was just better! Good fight with some fantastic punches. AJ needs to get back to what he does best, throwing bombs!
Fury reacts to Usyk victory
Tyson Fury, who holds the WBC heavyweight belt, has given his reaction on Instagram to Oleksandr Usyk's win and it's fair to say he isn't impressed with what he saw.
"After watching that, I can say that's one of the worst heavyweight fights I've ever seen," he put on his Instagram story.
"I would annihilate both of them on the same night.
"Get your chequebook out because the Gypsy King is here to stay forever."
'AJ should be proud of his performance'
Some reaction from big names in boxing...
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Peter: In as much as Joshua did better in this fight for me it was still a unanimous decision for Usyx. Joshua was lucky to get a split decision. For all the talk of letting his hands go I didn't really see that to the extent I expected.
Joshua: Joshua has been let down badly by his team before the fight with his game plan, during the fight telling him he was doing well and after the fight letting him make that speech. Horrible to watch.
'I'm not sure anyone can beat Usyk'
Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking ringside after the fight: "What a performance from Oleksandr Usyk. I thought we had him but the 10thround was one of the best rounds I’ve ever seen.
"What he did in the 10th, 11th, 12th rounds were incredible. AJ didn’t start fast enough but he fought a much better fight than last time. He hurt himin the ninth but Usyk came on like a train.
"In the 10th round, Usyk decided to regain the fight. He’s too good. There’s no shame in it. You saw the reaction from AJ, from a human who wanted to win so badly and he exploded.
"Hecouldn’t win, he’s a competitor, a winner. But he was too good. That’s why he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter. I felt Usyk won because of the 10th,11th and 12th rounds. I had it very close going into those rounds but the championshiprounds showed from championship fighter that he is a pound-for-pound great.
"AJ gave it everything - he had a great training camp and was desperate to win tonight but it wasn’t to be. He lost a split decision to the pound-for-pound number one. He has to go away, rebuild, get his frustration out and be happy. That’s the most important thing
On a potential Usyk fight with Tyson Fury: "Bothhim and Fury are tremendous fighters. Fury is a clever man. He had chance to fight Usyk before and chose not to. I'm not sure anyone can beat Usyk.
'You're not strong, how did you beat me? Because of skills'
Mark RobinsonCopyright: Mark Robinson
We've been listening back to what Anthony Joshua said to Oleksandr Usyk in the ring after the fight.
Joshua said: "You're not strong, how did you beat me? Because of skills.
"I had character and determination."
'I devote it to my country'
Mark RobinsonCopyright: Mark Robinson
Oleksandr Usyk after beating Anthony Joshua: "I want to thank everyone who prayed for me. Iwant to thank God for the help he gave me today because he did give me a lottoday. My lord is Jesus Christ. I can thank you Saudi. Thank you so much.
"I devote this victory to my family, my country,my team, to all the military defending this country. Thank you so much.
"This is already history. Many generations aregoing to watch this fight especially the round when someone tried to beat mehard but I stood it and came back."
On whether he will fight Tyson Fury to unify the titles: "I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I’mconvinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I’m not fighting FuryI’m not fighting at all.
"Only God knows whether I will fight him or notbut all these gentlemen here around me, my team, they are going to help me.
"ThanksLord for everything."
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Mark RobinsonCopyright: Mark Robinson
A very bizarre end after the verdicts had been announced with Anthony Joshua grabbing the microphone first, before the winner Oleksandr Usyk got to speak. Joshua had also nearly left the arena before returning to the ring.
'One hell of a fighter'
Anthony Joshua taking the ringside microphone: "Usyk is one hell of a fighter. That’s just emotion.
"If you knew my story, you'd understand thepassion. I’m not an amateur boxer. I wasgoing to jail and I got bail and I started training. If I got sentenced, I wouldn't be able to fight.
"It shows the passion we put into this. For this guy to beat me tonight, it shows the levelsof hard work he must have put in so please give him a round of applause asheavyweight champion of world.
"They said that I’m not a 12-round fighter. I ain’t 14 stone, I’m 18 stone, I'm heavy. It’s hard work. This guy here is phenomenal."
Speaking to Usyk directly: "I was studying Ukraine and all the championsfrom your amazing country. I’ve never been there. What’s happening there, Idon’t know but it’s not nice. For Usyk to be champion, under those circ*mstances, please raise your hands."
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Ihtisham: End of Anthony Joshua's title charge. Should get some wins back in his locker before challenging again!
Jose: Usyk’s ringcraft is next level, but he has no punching power at heavyweight. boring fight, winning with scoreboard punches and no threat.
Conrad: Massive respect to Usyk. With everything going on in his homeland to come here and put on a display, he is a worthy world champion.
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Former WBC heavyweight title holder Deontay Wilder.
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Anthony Joshua appears to have calmed down and grabs the microphone and asks the crowd to applaud Usyk. He then praises Usyk and for winning the titles despite everything he and Ukraine has gone through.
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Joshua had picked up two of the belts, then dropped them on the ground before marching towards the dressing room. He got close to leaving the arena, before then heading back to the ring.
BreakingUsyk wins on split decision
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Oleksandr Usyk is still the world heavyweight champion - he wins it on a split decision.
The first judge had it 115-113 to Joshua, the second 115-113 to Usyk and the third 116-112 to Usyk.
USYK RETAINS THE IBF, IBO, WBA (SUPER) AND WBO HEAVYWEIGHT TITLES.
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We wait for the judges. Both fighters are holding the Ukrainian flag aloft. A great touch.
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