Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk has retained his heavyweight titles after a thrilling rematch with Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk won by a split points decision after the pair went the full 12 rounds: 113-115, 115-113 and 116-112.
Up until around March, Usyk was fighting on the front line in Kyiv, but left the war-torn country to focus on his rematch with Joshua.
Read more: Who is Oleksandr Usyk?
After declaring the judges’ decision, Joshua threw two of the title belts over the side of the ropes before exiting the ring.
However, he came back and took the microphone and told the King Abdullah Sports City: “If you knew my story, you would understand the passion.
“I’m not a five-year-old amateur boxer who was an elite prospect from a young age. I was going to prison, I got bail and I started training, I wanted to be able to fight.
“This guy beat me tonight, maybe I could have done better, but it shows the level of hard work I put in, so please give him a round of applause as the heavyweight champion of the world.”
The pair also briefly posed with the Ukrainian flag in a solidarity stand defying Russia’s ongoing assault on the country.
Image: Image: AP
“If I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all”
After his win, Usyk paid tribute to the Ukrainian military and says he is only interested in fighting WBC champion Tyson Fury.
Usyk said: “I did this victory for my country, for all the people, the military who are defending the country. Thank you very, very much.
He added: “I’m sure Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I’m sure, I’m sure he wants to fight me. I want to fight him, and if I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated his compatriot shortly after the bout, tweeting: “Difficult but so important and necessary WIN!
“Defending the title of world champion is a symbol that all those who are Cossacks will not give up theirs, they will fight for it and win for sure!”
The rematch in Saudi Arabia follows his bout last year in London, where Usyk won the British boxer’s WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts.
Their fight in Jeddah, however, was a different story, with Joshua putting in a much better performance against the Ukrainian compared to last year, landing punches and occasionally unloading on Usyk.
But it was Usyk who came out on top, landing more punches on his opponent, with a higher work rate than AJ.
It is not the first time this year that the UK has come second to Ukraine at a global event, with the country’s Kalush Orchestra winning the Eurovision Song Contest ahead of Britain’s Sam Ryder, who came second by the public vote, despite being the first place. with the national juries.