Anthony Joshua LOSES to Oleksandr Usyk LIVE: AJ outclassed and hurts eye to leave unification dreams in tatters – Anthony Joshua’s chances of unifying the world heavyweight titles next year are in tatters after he was outclassed by Oleksandr Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The dangerous Ukrainian put on a stunning display to take AJ’s WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO belts in front of a sell-out crowd in north London.
Joshua, who suffered a nasty eye injury and looked shattered at the final bell, has a rematch clause and will now face a vital return clash against Usyk as both eye a huge unification blockbuster against either Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder in 2022.
Joshua v Usyk: Undercard results
- Oleksandr Usyk def. Anthony Joshua, majority decision
- Lawrence Okolie def. Dilan Prasovic, TKO
- Campbell Hatton def. Sonni Martinez, decision
- Callum Smith def. Lenin Castillo, KO
- Florian Marku def. Maxim Prodan, split decision
- Christopher Ousley def. Khasan Baysangurov, majority decision
Usyk gets his respect
AJ makes a hasty exit from the ring – probably to head to the hospital – and Usyk appears to have earned the respect of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after such a special display.
The boos are now cheers and Matchroom’s best laid plans have undoubtedly taken a major hit tonight.
Credit to Joshua for taking on the challenge of Usyk, but the size and power difference many expected simply wasn’t apparent for most of this fight.
Oleksandr Usyk def. Anthony Joshua – 117-112, 116-112, 115-113
Anthony Joshua shakes his head as if to say he knew. Eddie Hearn pointed to his eye when AJ was in his corner to suggest his fighter could barely see. We have a new world heavyweight champion.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Twelve
AJ had to produce something in the final round and Usyk’s check-hook kept all his early attempts at bay. Usyk’s timing is just far too good and although in the middle rounds this was a close fight, the world has steadily told for Usyk.
Joshua looks sapped of his strength and perhaps unable to give everyone the grandstand finsih it would require.
Usyk battered Joshua against the ropes in the final 10 seconds of the contest surely it signals his victory.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Eleven
Joshua anded a couple of power shots that injected some hope into the crowd as he chased Usyk around the ring for the opening 90 seconds.
Usyk landed a nice combo that had the potential to sway the judges late in the round and he undoubtedly finished stronger.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Ten
Usyk looks the more spritely, energetic fighter at this point, but AJ is game for sure.
Joshua’s face shows what he’s been through in this fight as Usyk continues to land. Joshua has taken centre of the ring, but he’s not being allowed to dictate much.
Joshua really needs to be winning these rounds to make a convincing case to win the fight and his flurry in the late stages of this round will certainly help.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Nine
Both AJ and Usyk are exchanging single shots, but AJ loaded up a couple of times in this round, particularly for a lunging uppercut, and didn’t hit the target.
This is the first round where some holding came into play which could be a sign of fatigue on either side.
Joshua has remained loyal to his jab, but did back Usyk against the ropes at one point and unleashed a combo before the Ukrainian tied him up. AJ has a bloody nose at this point, too. Tight round.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Eight
Joshua came out determined to get a handle back on this fight and landed a big right hand to Usyk’s chest as the two men feinted around the ring.
A fascinating fight is unfolding. The two men appear to be trading rounds and the eighth was another round where AJ perhaps did the cleaner work. Some of his body shots rang out through the stadium, it’s an AJ round. This fight is dead even through eight rounds, or Usyk is perhaps one round ahead.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Seven
The crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been energised by Joshua’s work and that continued with the start of the seventh, but Usyk has remained dilligent with his work and continues to hurt Joshua whenever the Brit gets too gung-ho.
Usyk had the best of this round in large spells and will take it. Usyk rocked AJ with a nasty left with one minute to go and Joshua almost immediately tired. Usyk round.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Six
Usyk and Joshua both attempted to jab their way to success in this round hoping it would set something else up and eventually, Joshua did manage a right hand straight down Usyk’s throat.
Joshua won this round with the work he did in the final minute. When AJ backs Usyk down, there only looks like one winner. But when Usyk is coming forward to get inside, it’s still very dangerous.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Five
The round started with Usyk targeting the body once more and when he went upstairs, Joshua responded once again with a shot that moved the former cruiserweight.
Usyk does keep touching Joshua and that has to be the concern, but every time AJ responds it seems to carry more power and that showed this round too.
Joshua finished the round very, very strongly with a series of right hands showing that indeed, Usyk can be hurt.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Four
Joshua staggered at the beginning of the round after Usyk stood on his foot. AJ had told coach Rob McCracken in between rounds that he was fine and Usyk did not hurt him, but he will if that hook remains in play.
A straight right-hand from Joshua was the cleanest hit of the first-half of the round, but Usyk kept landing the left to the body when he made leaping advances.
Another tight round, but Usyk appears to have a small cut above his right eye that might turn out to be a factor.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Three
Usyk is veru lovely with his feints and you can see how he constantly applies pressure to his opponents, just as Tony Bellew suggested.
Joshua has been biding his team and, largely, keeping Usyk at arms reach with his jab. Bursts of Usyk’s quality how with straight shots to the body and face and he caught Joshua with a nasty, nasty left hook to stagger the champ.
Just as it seemed the opening might be there for him, Joshua cracked Usyk with a stiff right hand that sent the Ukrainian back. Big round for this fight opening up!
TENSE
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round Two
Joshua landed a nice left hook that was the firs significant hit of the round and he followed that up with a smooth up and down combo.
Usyk is staying in Joshua’s face and offering a lot of volume, even if some of it is just to keep AJ guessing.
The Ukrainian certainly grew into the round, but it seems like Joshua is landing the more noteworthy shots.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk – Round One
Usyk landed the first blow out of the traps but Joshua responded with a right hand instantly before both men reverted to feeling each other out.
Usyk’s body movement was supremely busy, but AJ appears up for the task and is padding him with his jab.
Joshua had to eat a stiff left hook half way through the round but Joshua tagged Usyk’s body with a nice right hand before the round was up and applied the pressure late on.
Both fighters have made their entrances and Michael Buffer is making the introductions
Usyk was all business during his entrance, not even entertaining the fireworks as he kept the lid down on his custom jacket.
Joshua was the complete opposite as he was all smiles playing to the fireworks, sparklers and fire as the crowd gave him a heroes reception.
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