ANTHONY JOSHUA and Oleksandr Usyk’s huge heavyweight rematch is finally here, live from Saudi Arabia RIGHT NOW!
Usyk is defending the WBA, IBF and WBO titles he ripped from Joshua’s grasp, plus the The Ring magazine title which Tyson Fury recently vacated.
It has been 11 long months since Usyk outpointed AJ in front of 70,000 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – and the pair NOW battle again.
It’s make or break for AJ, follow EVERY blow with SunSport’s live blog right here.
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Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Joshua is now on the microphone, he explains that he started boxing late after going in prison.
AJ going on a tangent and explains that he is not a 12-round fighter – due to his 18stone size – and suggests he’s a KO artist.
He does congratulate Usyk and talks about the war going on in Ukraine.
Credit: PA Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Bit of drama post-fight as Joshua looks furious.
It followed after AJ threw away his title belts but it is unclear what sparked his furious reaction.
Now Usyk and Joshua are arguing in the ring… what on Earth is going on?
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Judges score the bout, 115-113 Anthony Joshua, 115-113 Oleksandr Usyk and finally 116-112 the winner… OLEKSANDR USYK.
It’s repeat in Saudi Arabia, as AJ fails in his revenge mission, leaving Usyk almost in tears.
Joshua shakes Usyk’s hands as the pair embrace post-fight.
Credit: Getty
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Joshua had his moments and has pushed Usyk further than anyone else before him.
But Usyk was just too good, too classy, and it looks as though AJ has accepted that.
We will await both the scorecards and Tyson Fury’s imminent reaction…
Credit: Getty Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 12 – Usyk lands some big shots on the ropes but Joshua continues to come forward.
Usyk letting his hands go, flashy combinations, all sorts of angles, all in the final round too.
The fight goes the distance and after it’s all said and done, Joshua can be proud of the performance he put on.
But he came up against a modern great tonight, just as he did last September. The scorecards now follow.
Anthony Joshua (left) and Oleksandr Usyk in action during their World Heavyweight Championship WBA Super IBF, IBO and WBO fight at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Picture date: Saturday August 20, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story BOXING Jeddah. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to [â¦]Credit: PA Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 12 – Right hand for AJ snaps Usyk’s head back, he’s got to come forward and roll the dice.
Usyk evades a right hand and comes back with a combo of his own.
Right hands lands for AJ! But Usyk takes it well and maybe the Brit just cannot put a dent in the Ukrainian great.
Credit: PA Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 11 – Heading into the final round and AJ needs either a massive round, a knockout or some poor judges to save him.
But he has not given up, bitten down on his gum shield when needed and put Usyk is nervy moments.
Usyk though is a special fighter and showing his class here as we enter the final three minutes.
Credit: Reuters Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 11 – Two body shots land for AJ but Usyk looks as alive as ever.
Joshua lands with a lovely right hook to the body, Usyk looked hurt but covered up well on the ropes.
Corkscrew right hand lifts AJ’s chin up and the champion looks classy here. He’s pouring on the pressure and fighting the fight strong.
Credit: PA Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 10 – What a round. Usyk started really strong, had Joshua in trouble.
Then AJ came back with a right hand of his own but failed to follow it up.
A big uppercut for Usyk then landed and a flurry of combinations soon followed. The champion is in the driving seat.
Credit: PA
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 10 – NOW JOSHUA LANDS A BIG SHOT.
Usyk look staggered but Joshua fails to follow it up and may have left the champion off the hook.
Here comes Usyk, this round has swung both ways and AJ is in trouble again, he looks to be struggling for balance.
Credit: Reuters Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 10 – Fast start from Usyk, who letting his hands go and making AJ miss.
Left hands lands for Usyk and AJ IS IN TROUBLE. He takes a big
Hook staggered Joshua and the Brit is forced to cover up. Big response from Usyk.
Credit: Reuters Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 9 – HUGE round for AJ.
He had Usyk evidently hurt, rocking backwards and bleeding, but the champ stayed in there.
How much of that will have affected Joshua’s gas tank, will his confidence build from it?
Credit: Reuters Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 9 – Usyk lands a sneaky left to start the round off, AJ almost walked into that one.
Three-punch combination lands for AJ, chopping hooks around Usyk’s guard.
He comes forward, sensing he has Usyk hurt as the champ grabs on.
Usyk is reeling backwards, bleeding as well, this is AJ’s biggest round in the fight, maybe his moment.
Credit: PA Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 8 – Big left body shot lands for Joshua and Usyk is on the retreat.
Right hooks slaps the side of Usyk’s face, up until that point he had landed a flurry of quick punches.
Another big set of body shots land for Usyk and the champion now grabs hold, positive signs for AJ.
Credit: PA Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 8 – AJ starts the round by complaining about the canvas.
They have an official now cleaning the surface, giving both men a breather.
Fight now resumes.
Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 7 – Big right hand jabs sinks into AJ’s temple, but the Londoner comes back with a body shot.
Joshua almost slips over and has a confused look on his face. Let’s hope that doesn’t affect the fight.
Left hand snaps AJ’s head back, he took two to the body before that, Usyk’s speed starting to show.
Credit: Reuters Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 6 – Joshua backs Usyk up to the ropes but nothing clean lands.
Usyk stands his grown and lands a flurry of quick shots, coming around the side of his guard.
He then lands a combination to head and body, AJ covers up well but that was the champion’s round.
Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 6 – Right hand lands for AJ, but Usyk comes back with a right hook.
Usyk lands to whipping body shots of his own, now it’s Joshua defending punches coming his way.
AJ’s right eye is marked up which could cause him problems heading into this second half.
Credit: Reuters Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 5 – Heavy straight right hand to the body lands for AJ.
Big jab bounces off Joshua’s head and there really is not much to separate the pair.
Another combination lands for Usyk, ending in a left hand but Joshua seems unfazed, though he may have conceded the round.
Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 5 – Nip and tuck stuff again as they sit in mid-range, centre ring and trade shots.
Joshua lands a shot to the midsection but Usyk complains that is was low.
The fight carries on and Usyk comes forward right away.
Credit: PA Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 4 – Really, really competitive round with not much to separate them.
Usyk lands a good left, Joshua comes back with a right.
Heading into the fifth and AJ will be happy with his start, but does Usyk have more to give heading into the second half?
Credit: PA
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 4 – AJ lands a sharp jab but Usyk comes back with a left to rock his head back.
Right hand for Joshua lands but Usyk walks through it, the Brit is working his jab well, encouraging stuff.
Left hand finds home for Usyk and he backs AJ up, although an uppercut whisks just past the Ukrainian champ.
Credit: Reuters Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 3 – Right hook comes around the side of the guard but Usyk just about blocks it.
He comes back with a three-punch combo of his own to close out a really tight round.
Still not much to separate the pair, AJ landing maybe the more telling shots but Usyk controlling the range as he bobs and weaves.
Credit: Reuters Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 3 – Usyk doubles up his jab and lands a left but AJ responds with a right to the body.
Left hand lands for Usyk and he spins off, such good movement from the southpaw superstar.
The pair comes together and AJ attempts a right uppercut in close. The two are trading blow for blow.
Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 2 – Joshua lands a counter right and comes back with a hook to the body.
Usyk showed great movement during that round and does look to be letting AJ let his hands go, perhaps saving himself.
Already clear that Joshua will look to target the body and land his right hand upstairs.
Credit: Reuters
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
