Heavyweight boxing

OLEKSANDR USYK wants to face Tyson Fury after retaining his heavyweight world titles against Anthony Joshua.The Ukrainian, 35, beat AJ once again via split decision in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Oleksandr Usyk dedicated his victory to UkraineCredit: Reuters
Usyk is determined to fight Tyson Fury nextCredit: AFP
After the fight Usyk dedicated the victory to his country before turning his attention to the Gypsy King.
Usyk called out Fury for a bout and hinted he would quit if he does not get to face the Brit.
Usyk said: “I did this victory for my country, for all people, militaries who are defending the country. Thank you very, very much.
“This is already historic. Many generations are going to watch this fight, especially the round when someone tried to beat me hard, but I withstood it and turned it in a different way.
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“I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him and if I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”
An Usyk vs Fury showdown would give both fighters the opportunity to unify the heavyweight division with the latter occupying the WBC belt.
Both men are undefeated in the ring but Fury is officially retired after defeating Dillian Whyte in April.
But he has made murmurs about a possible comeback – with many previously wanting to see him face Joshua.
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Earlier this month Fury was even involved in talks for a comeback fight with Derek Chisora, revealing he wanted to be the first heavyweight to have three trilogies.
But talks collapsed with Fury claiming his compatriot turned down a £2million offer to enter the ring.
And he may not be willing to fight Usyk either after criticising his performance against Joshua.
After the fight Fury said: “After watching that, the both of them were s***e. It was one of the worst heavyweight title fights I have ever seen.
“It was bulls***. Come on!
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“I’d beat annihilate both of them on the same night. F***ing s***e.
“Get your f***ing chequebook out because the Gypsy King is here to stay, forever.” More

BOXING fans and pundits feared Anthony Joshua suffered a concussion in his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.The former unified heavyweight champion flew into a fit of rage after suffering a second successive points defeat to the slick southpaw in their Saudi rematch.
Anthony Joshua went into an x-rated rant after his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on Sunday morningCredit: Getty
Joshua was fired up in his post-fight chat with UsykCredit: PA
Usyk put on a second successive boxing masterclass against AJCredit: Getty
He did, however, repeatedly praise Usyk for his display in their rematch in his bizarre and x-rated post-fight interview.
Joshua’s behaviour left many stunned, including training partner Frazer Clarke.
The Olympian said: “Maybe he was concussed. I would have taken a dog to take that microphone off him.’
“I apologise for the team, someone from the team should have saved him. Anthony’s a good person, it was out of character.
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“Someone should have jumped in and stopped him. It was only words at the wrong time.”
Boxing fans were similarly stunned, with one saying: “Is Anthony Joshua concussed?”

Another said: “As bad as it was, got to cut Anthony Joshua some slack…he was concussed, exhausted and emotional.”
And another said: “Anthony Joshua surely concussed there? None of that made any sense, just spouting s***e that makes no sense, what a strange speech.”
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Clarke, and many others, believe one of Joshua’s team should’ve saved him from himself by wrestling the mic from him.
He said: “As a gym friend and a friend in general, for anyone offended in general by what happened.
“I think I can apologise on his behalf for the outburst. 
“His team might be mad at me for saying this, but I feel he was hung out to dry there.
“Somebody should have saved him from himself.
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“It’s words, but in the true reflection of boxing, that was Usyk’s time to celebrate that victory and he didn’t get to do it straight away and I don’t think that was right.
“Anthony is a great person and has done a lot for a lot of people, a lot for me, but I feel like he had a bit of a bad one there and it was out of character.”
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ANTHONY JOSHUA threw Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight belts out of the ring before hijacking the microphone to deliver a bizarre speech after his loss to the Ukrainian.The British boxing icon was defeated a second time by Usyk, this time via split decision.
Anthony Joshua addresses the crowdCredit: Getty
The Brit delivered an unusual speech after the fightCredit: Reuters
AJ threw Usyk’s belts out of the ring
After the result was announced, Joshua threw Usyk’s belts out of the ring before appearing to storm off.
He then decided to return to the squared circle to shake hands with his opponent.
But as they talked in the ring, AJ said: “I don’t care about strong, I have to have skill.
“Being strong doesn’t win boxing. Skills win boxing.
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“You’re not strong. How did you beat me? How? Because of skill.
“I had character and determination. Where’s the mic?”
Then the Brit grabbed hold of it to deliver an impassioned speech to the crowd.
Joshua, 32, said: “If you knew my story you would understand the passion.
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“I ain’t no amateur boxer from five-years-old that was an elite prospect from youth.
“I was going to jail, I got bail and I started training my a*** off, I wanted to be able to fight.
“I’m stealing this Usyk I’m sorry, but it’s because of the passion we put into this.
“This guy to 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 our heavyweight champion of the world.”
He then added: “I’m not a 12-round fighter, look at me, I’m a new breed of heavyweights, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey, ‘you don’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano’, I’m 18 stone, I’m heavy, it’s hard work.
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“This guy here is a phenomenal talent, we’re going to cheer for him three times.”
He then got the crowd to awkwardly cheer Usyk, who watched on baffled.
British boxer Frazer Clarke feels that Joshua’s team should have prevented him from taking the mic.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “As a gym friend and a friend in general, for anyone offended in general by what happened, I think I can apologise on his behalf for the outburst.
Somebody should have saved him from himselfFrazer Clarke
“His team might be mad at me for saying this, but I feel he was hung out to dry there. Somebody should have saved him from himself.
“It’s words, but in the true reflection of boxing, that was Usyk’s time to celebrate that victory and he didn’t get to do it straight away and I don’t think that was right.
“Anthony is a great person and has done a lot for a lot of people, a lot for me, but I feel like he had a bit of a bad one there and it was out of character.”
AJ broke down in tears during his press conference and was comforted by promotor Eddie Hearn.
He said: “Am I proud of myself? It’s really really hard for me to say I’m proud of myself.
“I don’t feel anything, I’m upset deep down in my heart.”
Usyk, 35, is determined to fight Tyson Fury next.
When he did finally get his hands on the mic, he said: “I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet.
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“I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me.
“I want to fight him and if I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”
Usyk and AJ converse after the fightCredit: Getty More

OLEKSANDR USYK successfully defended his world heavyweight titles with a split decision victory over Anthony Joshua.The Ukrainian, 35, produced another majestic boxing display to clinch a second win in 11 months over the Brit.
Usyk clearly beat Joshua to retain his world heavyweight crownCredit: PA
Joshua gave respect to Usyk after the decision was announcedCredit: Reuters
It was an emotional victory for Usyk who dedicated it to the people of UkraineCredit: PA
The three judges scored the fight 115-113 Joshua, 115-113 Usyk and 116-112 Usyk.
But most felt the Ukrainian did more than enough to secure the victory and retain his heavyweight belts.
Here is how SunSport’s Dylan Terry saw it unfold round by round.
Round 1
Usyk comes out bouncing around, bobbing and weaving as a measured Joshua steps out for the opening exchanges.
It’s the Ukrainian who circles the challenger with his sensational footwork, but both men are simply feeling each other out at this point.
Lovely jab pierces the guard of Usyk, before Joshua fires back with some nice bodywork.
AJ roughhouses Usyk in the clinch inside the final 30 seconds – a sign of that manhandling which many people wanted to seem from him.
Positive start from the champion. 10-9 Usyk.
Round 2
AJ clearly trying to work the body in the early stages. Not much between them so far as Usyk’s jab looks on point.
Nice left hook from Joshua digs into the ribs of Usyk and the challenger follows it up with a neat one-two.
Lovely jab from Usyk gets Joshua’s attention once more – the Ukrainian responding when he needs to.
Really good bodywork from Joshua again as the round comes to a close. That is definitely the tactic from the Brit’s corner.
Very tough round to score and probably an even one at that. 20-19 Usyk.
Round 3
Usyk’s movement truly is something to behold. His head is never ever still and as a result Joshua cannot find any accuracy upstairs.
Her tries to work the body again before moving in for a clinch but Usyk is aware and wriggles out before planting a left hand straight down the pipe of the challenger.
A cagey round which the Ukrainian takes. 30-28 Usyk.
Round 4
Joshua is falling short with a lot of his punches. Usyk has measured the distance to perfection so far.
A sharp straight right clips the top of AJ’s head but the Brit is unmoved.
Joshua definitely appears to be playing a patient game, not rushing any of his work. But he is being picked off by the quicker, smarter champion.
AJ tries to land a huge uppercut inside the final 30 seconds but misses by some distance.
Usyk finishes with a lovely left which puts Joshua back on his haunches.
Another three minutes in the bag for the world champion. 40-37 Usyk.
Round 5
Joshua’s feet are simply too slow at the moment. Usyk is out of range before AJ gets anywhere close.
OH HANG ON! Joshua hits Usyk on the waistband and the Ukrainian then limps off in pain!
The referee stops the action for a good 20 seconds and a bit of confusion ensues around the arena. Didn’t look like a low blow.
The referee stops the action for a good 20 seconds and a bit of confusion ensues around the arena.
We are back underway and Joshua unloads. Something may be wrong with Usyk!
The champion composes himself and gets back to bouncing on his feet for the remainder of the round. But is that a turning point in the fight? Has AJ’s bodywork got to the Ukrainian?
Best round for Joshua so far. 49-47 Usyk.
Round 6
The replays show that the shot to the body was borderline from Joshua – it hit the waistline of Usyk and was arguably a bit low. The referee must have deemed it to be so or he wouldn’t have stopped to allow Usyk to recover.
Back we go to the action and round six. Has Usyk recovered?
Joshua looking to command the action a bit more now as he drives a right hand down the pipe and narrowly misses the target, Usyk comes back with a sharp hook.
Joshua backs Usyk up against the ropes and has some success with a combination but the champion works his way out of the tight spot with some lovely footwork.
Another close round. Joshua didn’t land enough though. Usyk takes it. 59-56 Usyk.
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Round 7
Usyk leads on my scorecard heading into the second half of the fight but this is a closely-fought contest.
Joshua definitely more aggressive in the last couple of rounds but is still yet to land much of significance.
Nice jab squeezes through from the champion. This is a brilliant three minutes from Usyk as he stems the flow of some AJ momentum by making him miss and pay.
Usyk lands a nice right hook which moves into an uppercut as the bell goes.
Some really nice shots from Usyk to the body and head. 69-65 Usyk.
Round 8
The referee calls a time out 20 seconds in as the canvas needs a clean – it’s been slippery all night.
Nice right uppercut to the body from Joshua, but Usyk’s bodywork continues to be the more impressive.
There’s a great left hand to the body from AJ though! Usyk felt that one for sure!
Joshua struggling to follow up his success with any combinations. Usyk is able to reset and measure the distance once more.
Another one-two to the body rifles into Usyk’s body. Much better work from Joshua.
A good round for the challenger who treats himself to a wry smile inside the final 10 seconds. 78-75 Usyk.
Round 9
Usyk is so good at stalling Joshua’s momentum whenever AJ has some spots of success.
There’s a couple of nice head shots which get through and Usyk has to hold!
Joshua is going for the finish all of a sudden! Combinations from AJ and how on earth is Usyk still standing?!
Huge round from AJ. His best of the fight. He now has to make this count! 87-85 Usyk.
Round 10
Usyk has comeout looking fresher than ever! The man is made of steel and Joshua has used up all his energy in that enslaught in the previous round.
The champion fires huge shots at the head of AJ and the Brit is all over the place. His legs are like jelly but somehow he is still standing.
Usyk looks for the finish now but Joshua comes back with a brilliant right which shakes the Ukrainian to his boots!
Incredible action as Joshua walks back to the ropes and Usyk senses the end is near.
As AJ walks forward Usyk lands three, four, five shots as a weary-looking Joshua eats them up with the body language of a tired, beaten man. Round nine may well have been his best chance.
Wonderful stuff from the champion. 97-94 Usyk.
Round 11
Usyk schools Joshua with some wonderful movement in the first 90 seconds of the round – making the champion miss and then making him pay.
AJ eventually manages to back Usyk up against the ropes but can’t land anything of substance as the champion takes a couple of body shots on the arms.
The angles Usyk creates really are something to behold. He is constantly outside the line of AJ who does not have the movement to counteract him.
A clear round for the champion. Joshua has three minutes to find an unlikely knockout. 107-103 Usyk.
Round 12
Nice body shot from Joshua to start the final round. If he is going to go down, he may as well go down swinging.
Lovely left hook-right hand combination from AJ and Usyk has to hold! But Joshua then almost tumbles to the canvas while trying to grapple the champion.
Usyk fires back with some wonderful combination punching and Joshua’s tank is empty now, he has put everything into this but it’s simply not enough.
Usyk takes the final round and clearly wins the fight. A truly majestic display from the Ukrainian.
SunSport’s final scorecard: 117-112 Usyk. More

BOXING fans couldn’t believe their ears as Sweet Caroline WASN’T played before Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.The Brit is on a heavyweight title revenge mission against the Ukrainian champ on Saturday night.
Fans didn’t hear any sound of Sweet Caroline before AJ came outCredit: PA
With the fight taking place in Saudi Arabia rather than on home shores Neil Diamond’s adopted boxing anthem did not blare out of the speakers before the first bell.
And it was music to the ears of fight fans everywhere.
One wrote: “None of that Sweet Caroline nonsense at least.”
Another added: “That’s more like it….No cheese, no Sweet Caroline, short ring walks and straight to business!!
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While one relieved fan said: “Well at least they didn’t play Sweet Caroline.”
One simply stated: “Sweet Caroline – worst song ever made.”
However others weren’t enjoying the rather sedate atmosphere ringside on Jeddah watch than a booze Wembley.
One wrote: “No Sweet Caroline… no beer throwing… no punch ups in the crowd. What kind of s*** is this!!!”
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While another fan added: “It’s not the same without a huge crowd full of the beer and gear singing Sweet Caroline.”
The song has taken a life of its own at boxing events around the UK in the past few years.
But with Joshua taking his revenge mission to Saudi Arabia, it was perhaps unlikely to ring around Jeddah. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA ditched his white shorts and gloves combo to “unleash his inner Mike Tyson” for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.Since 2015, AJ had worn all white for all of his fights, but tonight he went for a Tyson-style black ensemble – albeit with white boots.
Anthony Joshua wore all black for the boutCredit: PA
The Brit came out meaning businessCredit: PA
It didn’t take fans long to notice AJ’s change in style.
One fan wrote: “Joshua with the Mike Tyson attire #allblack”
Another questioned: “Has Anthony Joshua gone full 80s Mike Tyson?”
While a third commented: “Joshua channelling his inner Tyson with his ring getup.
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“Needs to put that into action early on if he’s gonna win this. No standing off him like last time.”
Another added: “Joshua gone for the Mike Tyson black shorts and no frills look. I like it.”
Other fans noted the look being reminiscent of how AJ used to dress for fights as he climbed the ranks.
One excitedly wrote: “OH S***, WE’RE GETTING BLACK SHORTS, SLEEVELESS AJ!”
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Another tweeted: “F*** me AJ means business.
“Back to his roots with his coloured shorts, boots and gloves.”
A third said: “Joshua finally f***ed off the white shorts destruction mode come on.”
Mike Tyson donned all black for his fightsCredit: Getty More

BOXING fans slammed the “soulless” atmosphere ahead of Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2.Fans tuning in to the fights before the main event felt the King Abdullah Sports City could have done with an injection of noise.
Filip Hrgović’s brilliant defeat of Zhang Zhilei failed to generate an atmosphereCredit: AP
Anthony Joshua tried to improve the atmosphere with his ringwalkCredit: PA
Callum Smith beat Mathieu Bauderlique and Filip Hrgović defeated Zhang Zhilei in a hard-fought battle that went the distance – but it was not enough to engage the audience.
Viewers took notice and made their feelings clear on social media – criticising the lack of atmosphere inside the arena.
One fan wrote: “This boxing in Saudi is f***ing soulless. I’ve seen better atmosphere at a funeral. F*** Joshua, Hearn for being money grabbing c***. Come on Usyk!!”
Another added: “What an awful atmosphere. Shocking holding #UsykJoshua in this arena and location.”
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And a third said: “You get better atmosphere’s in libraries.
“I’m all for sports going to new regions and attracting new fans but the lack of atmosphere has been a real shame. Hope they wake up for the main event.”
Fans tuning in to the earlier fights also got a glimpse of Joshua as he headed to his dressing room.
And many spectators felt AJ looked nervous as he chewed on a mysterious green object, which was possibly his gumshield.
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The Brit also did his best to generate an atmosphere with his Mike Tyson-inspired ringwalk. More