Anthony Joshua was better but still not good enough for Oleksandr Usyk.
The Ukrainian proved that his victory over Joshua to win three heavyweight titles in September was anything but a fluke, outboxing the bigger man again to win a split decision, retain his belts and bolster the spirits of his besieged countryman.
And the victory might’ve set up an even bigger showdown with fellow titleholder Tyson Fury, who indicated on social media after the fight that he has not retired.
“This is already history,” Usyk said through a translator after the fight. “Many generations will watch this fight. And when someone tried to beat [me] hard but I [withstood] it and turned it a different way.”
Things didn’t start well for Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs).
Joshua, evidently determined to use his size and strength advantage this time around, came out more aggressively than he did in the first fight. Most notably, he targeted Usyk’s body with vicious punches, which was a theme from beginning to end.
However, by the fourth round, the gifted Usyk settled into a groove and began to outbox, outwork and frustrate the bigger man.
Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) rallied in Rounds 8 and 9 to close an apparent gap on the cards. He was particularly effective in a dramatic ninth, when he stunned Usyk with more than one punch and appeared to pursue a knockout.
That tactic might’ve been Joshua’s path to victory had he fought that way the entire fight but he didn’t, not even in the next round.
Usyk dominated Round 10 with his movement and work rate, leaving Joshua befuddled again, and he delivered more of the same in the final two rounds to beat Joshua a second time.
Two judges had Usyk winning, 116-112 and 115-113. One scored it for Joshua, 115-113. Boxing Junkie had it 115-113 for Usyk, seven rounds to five.
Thus, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion left no doubt that he’s one of the finest heavyweights of the era.
Is he better than Fury? We probably will find out soon.
Fury announced recently that he has retired as an active boxer but he made it clear on social media after the fight Saturday that he isn’t going anywhere. He was harshly critical of the bout, which he called “bull—.” And then he made his intentions known.
“Get your f—ing check book out because the Gypsy King is here forever,” he said.
That must’ve been music to Usyk’s ears.
“I’m sure that he’s not retired yet,” Usyk said before Fury made his statement. “I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I don’t fight Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”
Meanwhile, Joshua, who once seemed destined for greatness, has now lost three of his last five fights. That included a shocking knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 which he avenged the same year.
There’s no reason to think he can’t remain an elite heavyweight. He acquitted himself well on Saturday, coming within a few rounds of climbing back to the top of the division and setting up the biggest all-British fight in history against Fury.
However, for now, he’ll have to begin a rebuilding process. That might be one reason he lost his cool shortly after the fight, tossing two title belts out of the ring.
And if Fury ends up fighting Usyk for the undisputed championship, Joshua will have to watch from a distance.
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