Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Anthony Joshua to Emerge the New Heavyweight Champion of the World

Oleksandr Usyk, Ukrainian undefeated unified Cruiserweight of the world, defeated Anthony Joshua in a largely one sided fight in Tottenham, United Kingdom.

The Ukrainian won unanimously on the three scorecards, 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113, to emerge the new heavyweight champion of the world.

Anthony Joshua was outboxed and outclassed from the very first round to the 12th round. Flat footed in the first half of the fight and seems confused and lost with Usyk’s classic movements, jab and the aggressiveness expected from Anthony Joshua.

Usyk was the one that imposed himself on Anthony Joshua and consistently push the former champion back while touching him with jabs.

Joshua was slower – although clearly more powerful – and he did hurt Usyk at times but not enough to break the Ukrainian confidence.

Usyk, in the final round, looks bouncier, more mobile, while Joshua seems to know that he needs to try and unload a big shot or two and knock this man out to have any chance. But it was Usyk who keeps coming forward and forces the former champion on to the back foot.

Joshua ducks and dives as Usyk, who is such an awkward figher, keeps coming forward and keeps throwing shots. Joshua winds up a big right hand but misses. The two trade blows before the bell and Joshua is rocked! Joshua was nearly knocked out in round 12.

Anthony Joshua’s manager, Eddie Hearn, who spoke after the fight said: “I spoke to him … obviously it was a tough fight, a gruelling fight … a devastating defeat. Congrats to Usyk, what a fighter, the better man won. The danger was you overthink it and try and be too technical and don’t use your attributes … it was all the things you worry about against a fighter like Usyk. No complaints from AJ, he’ll get up, and he’ll go again. This was just being beat by a better man on the night.”

Chris Eubank Jr, who works as Skysport pundit for the fight, said “I’m gobsmacked, flabbergasted … I didn’t see the fight going that way at all. It’s only his [Usyk’s] third heavyweight fight. It was a masterclass. One of the biggest statements in boxing for a very long time. Full credit to the guy.”

“It was just a boxing clinic,” adds another pundit.

Delighted former Ukrainian world’s heavyweight champion, Vitali Klitschko, told Sky: “Excellent fight … very clever. I’m very happy. Actually he did a perfect job.” Usyk then arrives on the scene during the interview and Klitschko congratulates him heartily.

Anthony Joshua is now had 26 fights with 24 wins (22 KO) and 2 losses.