The shock was evident in his face as Anthony Joshua made a hasty retreat from the ring at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Saturday night.
In one night, all he had worked hard was gone, Oleksandr Usyk was the master and walked away with what were Anthony Joshua’s WBA, IBO, WBO, IBF world titles.
This was another classic case of Size doesn’t always matter as Usyk was undisputedly the master of night and a deserved champion over AJ.
Joshua has a rematch clause. With all thought of a fight for the undisputed title off the table, there will be a lot of studying needed before he considers getting in the ring with him again.
The champion did have some moments. There were moments went Joshua looked like he was landing some solid shots and might pull it out of the fire. But when Usyk had to adjust, he did. He was always a step ahead.
The decision was unanimous. Victor Fesechenko had it 117-112, Steve Weisfeld 116- 112 and Howard Foster 115-113.
Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, joins a shortlist of boxers who have moved up in weight to claim the heavyweight title.
Some had expected Joshua to come out blasting, but in two fights since his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr he had appeared more circumspect and that saw him trail early as Usyk picked him off.
Usyk began quickly, popping a straight left and right jab through Joshua’s guard as the champion tried to find range with his jab. Then Usyk got back with another, harder, left, although Joshua came back moments later with a right on the top of Usyk’s head.
The Ukrainian seemed to be controlling things, showing plenty of upper body movement and leading off while Joshua prodded out a jab that was well short of its target and cocked the right. One Joshua right partially landed and drew a cheer, on hit a glove and did not.
The champion was starting to land cleaner shots in the sixth round, as one right had Usyk readjusting his gumshield before a solid right rocked him back on his heels and backtracking. They exchanged big shots in the seventh round, before Joshua stumbled backwards after being caught by a left.
In the eighth, Joshua looked more comfortable and landed a series of body shots, but in the ninth Ustk landed a good left before Joshua came back with a hard right that forced Usyk to hold.
But Usyk was still busy, still strong and while he wasn’t really threatening to knock Joshua out, he was scoring, while Joshua’s nose was looking a mess from Usyk’s peppering punches.
Joshua tried to punch his way out of trouble in the eleventh, but he was made to hold when Usyk backed him into a corner.
Now, Anthony Joshua’s reign as world boxing heavyweight champion has ended and the proposed “Battle of Britain” against Tyson Fury now in tatters.
Joshua said on Twitter afterwards: “Keep positive even if the world’s crumbling in front of you! London I love you and thank you each and every time!”
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