Greatest Boxing

In a much-anticipated heavyweight showdown, Oleksandr Usyk reaffirmed his dominance over Anthony Joshua with a hard-fought split decision victory on August 20, 2022, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The bout, aptly dubbed “Rage on the Red Sea,” delivered on its promise of high drama and skill, as Usyk successfully defended his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles while also claiming the vacant Ring Magazine belt.

From the opening bell, it was clear that Joshua entered the ring with a renewed sense of purpose, having learned from his previous defeat to Usyk nearly a year prior. This time, Joshua, under the tutelage of new trainer Robert Garcia, sought to impose his physicality and strategic adjustments. He came out aggressive, targeting Usyk’s body with precision, an area he had neglected in their first encounter.

Despite Joshua’s improved approach, Usyk once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the finest technicians in the sport. The Ukrainian maestro displayed superior ring intelligence, using his movement and footwork to frustrate Joshua’s attempts to corner him. Usyk’s southpaw stance and quicksilver combinations kept Joshua at bay, as the Brit struggled to find a consistent rhythm.

The middle rounds were where Usyk truly began to pull ahead. In the seventh and eighth rounds, he started to control the pace, landing crisp counters that tested Joshua’s resolve. Joshua’s moment of promise came in the ninth round when he unleashed a barrage of punches that momentarily had Usyk on the back foot. However, the champion’s resilience shone through as he weathered the storm and came roaring back in the tenth round, landing a series of punches that seemed to sap the last of Joshua’s energy.

As the fight entered the championship rounds, it became increasingly apparent that Usyk’s tactical acumen and superior conditioning were too much for Joshua to overcome. While one judge controversially scored the fight 115-113 in favour of Joshua, the other two rightly awarded Usyk with scores of 116-112 and 115-113, cementing his victory.

The aftermath saw a visibly emotional Joshua hurling Usyk’s belts out of the ring in frustration, before returning to deliver an impassioned, if disjointed, speech that touched on his personal journey and admiration for Usyk. The Ukrainian, ever the statesman, dedicated his victory to his war-torn homeland, Ukraine, and reiterated his desire to unify the heavyweight division by challenging Tyson Fury.

As the dust settles, Usyk’s triumph not only solidifies his place among boxing’s elite but also sets the stage for a potential mega-fight with Fury, with the undisputed heavyweight championship on the line. Joshua, meanwhile, is left to regroup and reconsider his path forward in a division that continues to evolve.

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Filed under: Heavyweight - @ August 20, 2022 11:59 pm

Tags: Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk