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:
Callum Smith reacts to fourth-round knockout
Smith: “It looks good on the cameras, he came out game, it was a shoot-out, I didn’t expect it. But I’m confident and believe I can win.
“It’s down to my team, we’ll see what the best option is, I want to be a two-weight world champion.
“Tonight put me one step closer. I’m hearing Beterbiev is injured, things getting messy, but I want to keep winning.”
Usyk vs Joshua 2: Smith vs Bauderlique - Round 4
It was a left hook to begin with, bouncing off the top of Bauderlique’s head. He wasn’t hurt then.
But the left hook, beating Bauderlique to the punch, while pinned to the ropes.
It whipes him out, he dropped instantly, legs spread. Huge knockout.
Usyk vs Joshua 2: Smith vs Bauderlique - Round 4
Huge shot! Bauderlique dropped, left-hand counter, knockdown for Smith!
Smith detonates a right hand down the pipe, Bauderlique on the ropes. But what a chin.
Amazing action in the fourth, then a body shot lands for Smith.
Bauderlique wiped out on the ropes! KNOCKOUT!
Usyk vs Joshua 2: Smith vs Bauderlique - Round 3
You could probably split the first two rounds, these fighters surely can’t sustain this pace though?
Bauderlique popping the southpaw jab nicely, Smith timing the right over the top when it falls short.
Smith’s head snapped back, he’s got a real test here. Smith then whipping in body shots, but then he gets pushed back to the ropes, this is a real tear up.
McGirt screaming, “Don’t worry about the head”.
Joshua has arrived in the arena. Wearing a bright yellow t-shirt and headphones wrapped around his head.
Usyk vs Joshua 2: Smith vs Bauderlique - Round 2
Smith and Bauderlique going to war early on, big shots dished out, this is a cracker already
Crunching right hand from Smith. But Bauderlique fancies this.
It’s the lead right from the southpaw stance, faking the jab and whipping in the hook.
Usyk vs Joshua 2: Smith vs Bauderlique - Round 1
Bauderlique very lively out of the southpaw stance.
Smith tagged, but also dishing out some clean work of his own.
That sets the table nicely, Buddy urging the Liverpudlian to stay calm, accusing Bauderlique “working off nervous energy”.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Bauderlique takes his time to get to the ring. Liverpool’s Smith is out next.
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Anthony Joshua isn’t the only Briton fighting for a world title tonight.
In the main event of UFC 278, Leon Edwards looks to become the second British champion in UFC history.
He challenges welterweight champion and pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman, seven years after suffering a decision defeat by the “Nigerian Nightmare”.
Check out our interview with Edwards below. We’ll also be providing live updates from UFC 278 in the early hours of Sunday morning, after Joshua vs Usyk 2.
Leon Edwards is out for revenge, gold and history in Kamaru Usman rematch
Interview: Edwards will become Britain’s second ever UFC champion if he can avenge his 2015 loss to Usman, with the welterweight title on the line this time
Usyk vs Joshua 2
Former super-middleweight champion Callum Smith is up a division here, to face Mathieu Bauderlique in a light-heavyweight title eliminator.
The winner should be next for WBC champion Artur Beterbiev.
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