Oleksandr Usyk overcomes Anthony Joshua in a brutal 12 Round back and forth Battle
Usyk now is the first man to capture the ring Cruiserweight and heavyweight belts
Oleksandr Usyk was able to weather the storm posed by Anthony Joshua and come out victorious despite AJ coming in with his adjustments. The fight was even more competitive than their last outing but still, AJ came up just short of creating a significant impact during the fight.
With his victory, Usyk becomes the first man two hold the Cruiserweight and Heavyweight Ring Magazine titles. Though one of the judges scorecards would be questionable at best, it was surely good to see the Ukrainian defend his belts and his nation’s honor after just returning from the front lines of a brutal war.
Oleksandr Usyk reigns supreme as Heavyweight Champion after beating Anthony Joshua via split decision
Round 1
The fight starts with Joshua in the orthodox stands donning Mike Tyson-like black trunks, while Usyk starts in the southpaw stands as he tried to move around and create openings to land his jab. Joshua lands a light jab at the 1:30 mark. Usyk is ferocious with his punches throwing multiple jabs in each engagement while Joshua is more conservative with his strikes. Joshua targets the body at the round but is unable to match the impact created by Usyk’s up-jab a few moments earlier
Round 2
Aj changes level and lands a jab to the body. Usyk is throwing a lot but Joshua seems t be out of range for most of it. Joshua isn’t finding many connections either. Joshua lands two right hooks to the body, seemingly looking to replicate his early success in their first fight. Usyk lands two consecutive jabs. Usyk tries to maintain the momentum but Joshua ducks under landing a right hook. Joshua backs Usyk to the ropes for the first time. Usyk slips out of a 3-6 combination thrown by Joshua as the round comes to an end.
Round 3
Usyk is still very mobile, not staying in the same place for even a second. However, this is not able to fluster Joshua as he throws another body shot. Joshua backs up Usyk with jabs as he keeps weaving out of Usyk’s jabs. Aj looks much more loose but precise than he’s ever been. Joshua lands another body shot on Usyk as the Ukrainian tries to engage in a clinch. Joshua lands a swinging right hook that is partially blocked by Usyk as he ends the round by landing a left on Joshua’s face.
Round 4
Usyk opens up the round as usual, throwing multiple punches and trying to throw Joshua off rhythm with his movement. Usyk lands another left that clears Joshua’s guard. The round maintains a level of action with both fighters trying to find an opening.
Round 5
Joshua and Usyk continue the back and forth battle as the other tries to create openings. Joshua lands a leaping body hook that Usyk objects was a low blow, leading to a time out they immediately jump back into action.
Round 6
As the fight progresses, Usyk is making Joshua miss more. Joshua continues his dedicated attacks on the body finding intermediate success. Usyk sucks out of the way of a heavy straight right by Joshua. Joshua back Usyk to the ropes and continues working in the body. Usyk lands a 3-4 combination. Both men exchange jabs , however, Usyk finds more success, ending two exchanges by landing straight lefts.
Round 7
Usyk finds early jabs however hinders his momentum as he tries to engage in a clinch. Joshua is mostly at the center of the ring, with Usyk on the backfoot dictating the pace. Usyk lands a sharp body shot as Usyk shifts levels and lands two lefts on AJ. Usyk lands another shot to the body. Joshua displays good head movement as he evades Usyk’s punches at the end of the round.
Round 8
Usyk opens up with a power jab that snaps back Joshua’s head. Joshua responds by landing two left hooks to Usyk’s body. As Usyk raises his guard, Joshua again goes to the body. Joshua is finding success with multiple body shots. Usyk is persistent however with regard to staying in Joshua’s face.Usyk responds with a combination however is countered by Joshua with another body shot.
Round 9
Joshua puts Usyk on his backfoot. Usyk is circling the ring a lot. Joshua seems lazy with his body shots thrown in combination but they seem to be having an effect on Usyk. The two men then engage in the center of the ring. Joshua is surprisingly finding more success in the close exchanges. Joshua lands a heavy jab to Usyk’s face, snapping his head bac, Joshua roughens up Usyk as he covers up with the Ukrainian being in the back foot on the ropes. This is by far the best round for Joshua as Usyk looks visibly hurt for the first time in their two fights.
Round 10
Joshua opens up with a jab but is countered. Usyk is trying to replicate the ferociousness of Joshua in the previous round and he finds success. Usyk lands consecutive right hands over the guard of Joshua. Usyk suffers a heavy body shot that he agains protests was a low blow. Usyk lands a heavy uppercut. Usyk’s offense in mounting up as it is Joshua who is now against the ropes. Usyk ends the round with another ferocious combination.
Round 11
Joshua ducks out of Usyk’s hooks and continues to try replicating round 9 with his investments to the body. Joshua lands a heavy body shot as Usyk ties up. Usyk is surprisingly mobile this late into the fight. Usyk is finding more success as the round progresses. Usyk emulates his drunken master style of fighting briefly as the 11th comes to a close.
Round 12
Joshua is very conservative in the opening of the final round. Joshua pushes in with heavy rights some of which find the mark. None are able to land clean in the middle of the round. Joshua engages in a clinch out of frustration as he also throws a few strikes to the back of Usyk
Official Result: Usyk defeats Anthony Joshua via Split decision
Also Read: “I’ll get the credit I deserve”- Anthony Joshua talks about avenging his loss against Oleksandr Usyk555555555
Jerin Mathew
(713 Articles Published)