ANTHONY JOSHUA has been defeated by Oleksandr Usyk with a unanimous points loss.
Usyk boxed beautifully at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, winning 117-112,116-112,115-113 on the judges scorecards to take AJ’s WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles.
Usyk finished the fight putting AJ under enormous pressure and had the Briton rocked on the final bell.
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK
Eddie Hearn appears to suggest Joshua WILL demand a rematch with Usyk.
Hearn said: “The fighter in AJ is already talking about, ‘I’ll win the rematch.’ Usyk was the deserved winner.
“He’s got to make changes in the rematch. He will want to go straight back into that rematch.”
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK
Even Jake Paul is gutted.
The YouTube star-turned 4-0 boxer tweeted: . @usykaa showed us a beautiful boxing performance… hats off…
“@anthonyjoshua has been here before and he will rise again as great champions do.
“Damn I’m shook I wanted Joshua to win.”
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK
Now, Joshua does have a rematch clause, much like when he lost to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019.
But this was a 12-round masterclass from Usyk and figuring out this puzzle is a whole different ball game.
Joshua, who has spoken about retirement aged 36, has to once again go back to the drawing board.
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK
Joshua is already out of the ring with Usyk proudly parading his new titles.
He becomes only the third man – next to Evander Holyfield and David Haye – to win cruiserweight and heavyweight titles.
Now, does he make history and become a two-weight, undisputed champ?
Credit: ©Ian Walton Matchroom Boxing -
ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK
The judges score the bout 117-112, 116-112, 115-113 to your winner and THE NEW unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
No controversy here as Joshua is beaten over the 12 round distance.
Now what?
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 12
Big drama at the final stages, Joshua trapped on the ropes and takes several shots.
The ref had a look but AJ just about survived but it was the exclamation mark Usyk needed.
Usyk looks to have beaten Joshua on points with a 12 round masterclass and put AJ’s super-fight with Tyson Fury in tatters.
Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing -
ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 12
Here we are 12th and final round! Again Usyk out the traps quickly but AJ has centre of the ring.
Joshua struggiling to get out of the wayof Usyk’s fast hands and just can’t mount his own attack
Another left hand rocks Joshua’s head back and it’s a reall stronf finish for Ukraine’s Usyk!
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 11
Usyk rocks AJ’s head back with a short right but the champ takes it and comes back.
Joshua walking Usyk down but just missing with the right hand, he looks to be fancying it here.
Usyk lets his hands go and has AJ on the back foot, the two then exchange in the centre to close out a tight round but the challenger had the last laugh.
Credit: ©Ian Walton Matchroom Boxing
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 10
AJ taking centre of the ring but Usyk is doing a good job in staying out of harms way.
Right hand lands for Joshua and Usyk is slightly cut here.
AJ comes forward but looks on heavy legs, just about ducking underneath a left hand in what was a close round to score.
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 9
Usyk comes out the gate quick and AJ soon tries to make it messy but the ref intervenes.
Couple of left hands find the mark for Usyk and had AJ at one point off balance.
Could be time for AJ to think about rolling the dice and trying to get the stoppage now…
Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing -
ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 8
Sweeping right hand just misses for AJ but he’s pressing and trying to put a dent in Usyk.
Right has Usyk on the back foot but he looks composed and unbothered.
AJ sinks in a couple of right hands towards the end to take a round he really needed to win, but still hasn’t had Usyk hurt.
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 7
Despite Joshua’s momentum that was a big round for Usyk who again had the champ stumbling back.
He chose not to follow in but that was a big moment.
Into round eight!
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 6
Slow pace to the round as AJ comes forward, edging out his shots but Usyk evades any trouble.
Joshua right hand lands on the button but he stays patient as Usyk retreats.
Another big hook bounces off Usyk and that is the biggest round AJ has banked so far. And much needed for the champ heading into the second half.
NINTCHDBPICT000682426791Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 5
Cagey start to the round but AJ does commit to a two punch combo only justing missing.
Usyk responds well to push the bigger man back and rocks Joshua’s head with a left hook.
AJ taking more risks but Usyk seems to see it coming and counter back with ease, the rounds could be slipping away from Joshua…
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 4
Joshua sent flying after a clash of feet, looked worrying for a second there.
Big right from AJ gets through Usyk’s guard, his biggest moment yet!
Usyk made Joshua miss and pay but AJ does close out the round on top and may have taken the round and killed of some of the challenger’s early momentum.
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 3
Good action towards the end of round three as Usyk had AJ shaky but the champ held on.
Joshua then came on strong towards the closing stages and even put Usyk under pressure.
Fight is heating up now!
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 3
Joshua on the front foot and closing the distance with his jab but not yet stepping onto Usyk.
AJ misses with a right and Usyk counters with two jabs of his own, the challenger looking sharp.
A left hand has AJ wobbled! The champion holds on and keeps his composure.
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 2
Joshua comes out aggressive with left hook but just misses, Usyk lands a tidy left to the body
AJ throws a short combination ending with a right and has Usyk on the bacl foot but not enough to cause trouble.
Joshua not yet willing to commit with Usyk buzzing around the ring. Close round that
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 1
Tense opening round, lot’s of lead hands being edged out by both men.
Usyk was able to land a couple of left hands early doors bouncing in and out of range.
Joshua using lots of upper body movement but shipped a few shots down the middle despite threatening with his own.
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ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK – ROUND 1
Here. We. Go.
AJ vs Usyk for the unified heavyweight titles.
All to play for.
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HERE COMES AJ
Right, Joshua has got through his first song, on his second, and now the fireworks have followed.
Looks like we’re getting there though, as always with Eddie Hearn, no expense spared with the walkouts.
AJ also looking like he’s wearing a Muhammad Ali-esque robe and old retro pig skin leather gloves. He means business.