Oleksandr Usyk defeats Anthony Joshua again and challenges retired superstar Tyson Fury. The “Gipsy King” responds with gloating.
Boxing world champion Oleksandr Usyk remains the king of the heavyweight division. In the agreed rematch, the Ukrainian defeated British former champion Anthony Joshua on points in Jeddah/Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Usyk thus retains his world championship belts according to the versions of the WBA, WBO and IBF federations.
The 35-year-old Usyk, once the undisputed world cruiserweight champion, is now unbeaten in his 20th professional fight. The noble technician only lacks the WBC title, last held by Tyson Fury (Great Britain), who, however, had recently declared his retirement from boxing once again.
Usyk challenges Fury – and cashes in on gloating
After only his fourth fight at heavyweight, Usyk directly challenged Fury. “I’m sure Tyson Fury hasn’t finally retired, I’m convinced he wants to fight me,” Usyk said, “I want to fight him, if it’s not Tyson Fury, I’m not going to fight at all. “
Fury promptly responded, sounding off on social media. “That was one of the worst heavyweight fights I’ve seen yes. I’d finish them both in one night,” he said on Instagram, “Get the chequebook out.”
It was only on September 25 the previous year that Usyk dethroned Joshua in London, defeating him on points. After the Russian war of aggression began in February, Usyk had initially joined the Ukrainian army before returning to training.
Joshua won’t accept defeat at first
“I dedicate this victory to my country, my family, my team and all the soldiers who defend the country,” said Usyk, who was ahead on two of three judges’ scores.
Joshua initially could not accept his third defeat overall in his 27th professional fight.
He grabbed Usyk’s belt and threw it out of the ring, breaking down in tears at the post-fight press conference. The 32-year-old, who defeated Wladimir Klitschko by knockout in his last fight in April 2017, is at a crossroads.
Joshua had dismissed speculation about retirement as “nonsense” before the fight. Joshua had already lost all his titles to Andy Ruiz Jr (USA) in 2019, but then regained them six months later in Diriyya/Saudi Arabia.
