Photo: The Guardian
Boxing

Oleksandr Usyk Dethrones Anthony Joshua By Unanimous Decision After Electric Battle

By Fight Sports

Oleksandr Usyk just earned the biggest win of his career.

In front of a crowd of 70,000, Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) gained the WBA, WBO and IBF world titles, dethroning Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) in his own backyard.

Usyk won with scorecards of 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113.

Joshua left the fight with a potential “damaged eye socket,” according to Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, ESPN’s Mike Coppinger said.

Usyk, of Ukraine, had high energy from the start. Usyk controlled the fight in the early rounds, but Joshua began to become more comfortable in the fourth round.

The crowd roared again for their hometown fighter in Round 6 when Joshua landed a vicious right hand and right hook.

Photo: BBC

In the seventh round, Usyk began to slow down, but he continued to answer back to Joshua’s hits. Later in the round, Usyk forced Joshua to stumble, helping the Ukrainian get back into tempo.

Joshua looked to be the favorite again in Round 9 as he got his rival near the ropes.

The battle got bloody as Joshua’s nose began bleeding and his eye began swelling in the 10th round. The cut under Usyk’s right eye also began bleeding again.

It seemed to be a close contest towards the final rounds, and fans said Joshua needed a knockout to win. Usyk didn’t give the boxing ace a chance as he unleashed a barrage of punches, leaving Joshua wobbly and forcing him onto the ropes.

The crowd roared, waiting for a final punch, but Usyk watched Joshua lean on the ropes, tired, and Joshua smiled before walking to his corner after the final bell.

Usyk began to cry as they declared him the new winner. Joshua left the ring after it was announced.

Here’s our live coverage of the fight.

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