Oleksandr Usyk ended Anthony Joshua’s reign as world heavyweight champion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of more than 60,000 fans.
Usyk beat Joshua by unanimous decision after a sensational performance to claim the IBF, WBA and WBO belts
Oleksandr Usyk gave a boxing masterclass in recording a unanimous points victory.
The impressive Ukrainian triumphed 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113 on the scorecards of the three judges in just the former undisputed cruiserweight world champion’s third bout as a heavyweight.
Usyk’s victory extended his perfect record as a professional to 19 wins from as many fights.
In doing so, he became just the third boxer after Evander Holyfield of the United States and Britain’s David Haye to win both the cruiserweight and heavyweight world titles.
Usyk reflected on becoming only the third boxer ever to become a world champion at cruiserweight and heavyweight: “This means a lot to me.
“The fight went exactly the way I expected it to go.
“There were a couple of moments where Anthony pushed me hard. But nothing special.”
Usyk hurt Joshua in the third round with an accurate left hand, caused substantial swelling around his eye, then came close to a 12th-round stoppage.
The contract for this bout, however, contained a rematch clause.
And Joshua, who previously lost his belts when beaten by Andy Ruiz in New York in June 2019 before regaining the titles in a rematch in Saudi Arabia six months later, is determined to face Usyk again.
“A hundred percent, 110 percent,” he told a post-fight press conference. “I’m ready to get back to training.
“There’s an old saying ‘If you want to go down as a great fighter, don’t fight southpaws’, especially good ones. He (Usyk) is a good fighter.”
Joshua vs Fury Hopes Lost
The result scuppered the prospects of an all-British world heavyweight title unification bout between Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Boxing fans have long looked forward to a clash between Joshua and British compatriot Fury.
However, Fury had to defend his World Boxing Council heavyweight title against Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas next month. At the same time Joshua had to get past Usyk.