Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 LIVE: Result and reaction as Usyk wins thrilling fight by split decision
Follow the reaction as Usyk beats AJ in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia before some bizarre post-fight shenanigans
Oleksandr Usyk retained his world heavyweight titles with a split decision win over Anthony Joshua on Saturday in a rematch in Saudi Arabia that was closer than last year’s first fight.
Both fighters held up the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag as the judges’ scores were read out at King Abdullah Sport City arena. When he was declared the winner, Usyk hid his face behind the flag. The 35-year-old Usyk kept his WBA, WBO and IBF belts six months after serving in the Ukrainian army as part of the country’s defence against Russia’s invasion.
Joshua was much improved but Usyk demonstrated his technical brilliance to triumph 115-113, 116-112, 113-115 on the scorecards. After the fight, Joshua stormed out of the ring before returning and giving a bizarre speech to the crowd.
Follow reaction from Joshua’s defeat below:
Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua in heavyweight title rematch with split decision victory
Tyson Fury says he would ‘annihilate’ Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in one night after Ukrainian’s win 
Anthony Joshua ‘left out to dry by his team’ during post-fight outburst, says Frazer Clarke
Anthony Joshua left broken and crushed by brave defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
Usyk vs Joshua 2
There will be a short break now before the next fight.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Andrew Tabiti def. James Wilson via sixth-round TKO (0:00, corner stoppage).
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Tabiti vs Wilson – Round 5
Tabiti turns up the pressure now! He backs up Wilson, a late replacement for Tyrone Spong, with brutal hooks and uppercuts to the head and body.
Wilson fires back a couple of hopeful uppercuts, but he’s starting to wilt now... and drops to a knee!
Wilson just beats the count at 9, and he makes it to the end of the round – just.
But the towel comes in after the bell! Tabiti gets the TKO win.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Tabiti vs Wilson – Round 4
A slightly closer round, with Wilson backing up Tabiti against the ropes, landing a stern uppercut and forcing a clinch out of his compatriot.
Still, Tabiti is on top and largely cruising towards a points victory.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Tabiti vs Wilson – Round 3
Tabiti with his best round so far, starting to break down Wilson.
The best punch of the round is a left hook from Tabiti, who steps in as if he’s going to throw a jab but changes the shot at the last moment.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Tabiti vs Wilson – Round 2
More good work from Tabiti, who is still throwing that jab like a piston, targeting the body and head.
The speed of the jab is catching Wilson by surprise most times.
Tabiti also adds some dangerous lead left hooks.
Wilson needs to be first in these exchanges more often.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Tabiti vs Wilson – Round 1
Tabiti starts promisingly, boxing sensibly behind the jab.
Meanwhile, Wilson is more reactive and seems to be trying to get a read on his compatriot.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Next up, Andrew Tabiti moves up to heavyweight to face fellow American James Wilson.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Ben Whittaker def. Petar Nosic via unanimous decision (60-54, 59-55, 59-55).
Whittaker seems a bit surprised by the latter two scorecards, but he raises Nosic’s hand in a show of respect anyway.
The Briton moves to 2-0 as a professional, while putting an end to Nosic’s unbeaten record.
Whittaker: “We fought each other before, so you could see he was a bit wary.
“I switched off, tried to look a bit too sexy at times, but that’s just me.”
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