Ukrainian WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk defended his titles in a rematch against the former holder of these belts Briton Anthony Joshua August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua started the fight well, acting aggressively but prudently, but Usyk managed to seize the initiative. In the eighth and especially the ninth rounds, Joshua landed some good body shots, but Usyk again seized the initiative in the tenth round and took the fight to a split decision victory with scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115. With this victory, Usyk also won the vacant heavyweight championship belt according to The Ring magazine.
Before this rematch, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn stated that the Briton would not end his performance in the ring in case of defeat. As for Usyk, now all boxing fans will be waiting for an answer from WBC champion Tyson Fury regarding the fight for the title of absolute world champion.