Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua II: Briton loses world title challenge by split decision

Britain’s Anthony Joshua tried to reclaim the unified heavyweight title but it ended in disappointment after Oleksandr Usyk put in a great performance to win by split decision in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Two judges scored the fight to Usyk at 115-113 and 116-112, with a third awarding the challenger 115-113. There were some close matches, but Usyk was the obvious winner.

Joshua lost back-to-back to Usyk and retains 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, strode to the dressing room, turned around, and returned to the ring.

“Usik is a really great fighter. It’s just an emotion,” he said. “If you know my story, you will understand my passion. I am not an amateur boxer.

“This shows the passion we put into this. It shows the level of hard work he must have put into this guy tonight to beat me, so I want him to be world heavyweight champion. Please applaud as

“They said I’m not a 12-round fighter. I’m not a 14 stone, I’m not an 18 stone. I’m heavy. It’s hard work. This guy here is phenomenal.”

The Londoner put up a good fight, enjoying his best round in the ninth round, knocking Usyk down and throwing a barrage of punches reminiscent of old Joshua.

But that was Usyk’s brilliance, and he returned to the fight in the tenth round, delivering clean blow after blow. became.

Joshua was exhausted and Usyk had the maximum advantage in the championship round.

More to come.