Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk retained his world heavyweight titles, winning a split decision over Anthony Joshua on Saturday after a rematch in Saudi Arabia that was closer than the previous year’s contest.
The two opponents carried the Ukrainian flag, blue and yellow, as the judges’ scores were read in the arena of the King Abdullah Sports City, near Jeddah.
When Usyk was declared the winner, the Ukrainian hid his face behind the flag.
Usyk, 35, kept his World Association, World Organization and International Boxing Federation (WBA, WBO and IBF) belts, six months after serving in the Ukrainian military as part of that country’s defense against invasion. Russian.
Buoyed by a message from the Ukrainian president before the fight, Usyk wanted to at least give a war-torn country a reason to rejoice in a boxing show that was broadcast free on TV in his nation.
And to get the win, Usyk had to weather a sustained body attack from an improved Joshua.
Both boxers were exhausted at the final bell. Usyk fell to the canvas and looked up at the sky. Joshua joined him soon after, gave him a hug and said something about the suffering of the people in the Ukraine.
In a profanity-laden speech from the ring, Joshua praised Usyk for fighting so well under extremely difficult circumstances.
The Ukrainian also seized the Ring Magazine belt with the win. He is missing only one title, that of the World Boxing Council, which was vacated this year by Tyson Fury, who says he has retired.
Asked about Fury, Usyk said: “I’m sure he hasn’t retired yet. I’m sure Tyson Fury wants to fight me. If I’m not going to fight him, I won’t fight anyone.”
Two judges gave Usyk the victory, one 115-113 and the other 116-112. The third saw Joshua win, 115-113.
The Briton, a two-time heavyweight champion, suffered his third loss in 27 bouts. His career seems at a crossroads.
And what Usyk does from now on seems to be up to Fury.