Anthony Joshua vs Usyk LIVE: Fight result, reaction and boxing highlights
Follow live reaction after the Briton lost his IBF, WBO and WBA titles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Follow live coverage after Oleksandr Usyk produced a flawless display of boxing to beat Anthony Joshua and dethrone him as world heavyweight champion.
The former unified cruiserweight champion was punch perfect as he hurt Joshua early and often on his way to a deserved and unanimous points victory (117-112, 116-112, 115-113) in front of more than 63,000 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Ukrainian’s performance hands Joshua only the second professional defeat of his career in just his third fight at heavyweight and leaves hopes of an all-British clash with Tyson Fury in tatters.
Instead a rematch to attempt win back his IBF, WBO and WBA straps will surely be next after a chastening evening for the now former champ. Follow live reaction and analysis below from a big night of boxing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard
Scenes.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard
The crowd is bouncing now. We’ve just cut to a number of famous faces from both boxing and in the world of entertainment.
British boxer Joshua Buatsi and actor Idris Elba are the latest stars to be seen ringside as the excitement ramps up to new levels.
Bit of EDM (not a fan usually) has actually lifted crowd no end. AJ and Usyk is just over one hour away.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard
Just one more fight before the main event (I think). Lawrence Okolie defends his WBO cruiserweight title against undefeated challenger Dilan Prasovic.
‘The Sauce’ is ready to entertain.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard
Eubank Jr on Hatton
Chris Eubank Jr has given his take on Campbell Hatton. Both have very famous ex-boxers for fathers.
Eubank said: “Don’t worry about the big stage, don’t worry about impressing the fans, don’t worry about the name.
“Go away, go to Mexico, go to the small shows, build your record, build your experience, and then come back and do all this.”
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard
We’ve already had two very poor scorecards tonight. Let’s hope we don’t get a third in the main event.
This was one of the few clean shots Hatton landed in the fight.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard
Hatton vs Martinez
Oh my! That’s a bit of a disgrace. Hatton gets the nod, 58-57 according to referee Marcus McDonnell.
Sorry but the Brit did not win that fight.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard
Hatton vs Martinez
More of a quiet final round. Hatton has not done nearly enough to score a 10-8 and may not even have won these final three minutes. From the opening stages of the fight you could tell Martinez felt this was a real opportunity.
Hatton covers up inside the last 60 seconds and Martinez senses a stoppage could be on the cards! It doesn’t quite come for the Spaniard, but surely he will get his hand raised here?
The crowd got behind Hatton to see him over the line, but I very much doubt it was enough to clinch victory.
An upset pending.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard
Hatton vs Martinez
Two delicious left hands from Hatton as he looks to ramp things up at the beginning of the fifth round. Martinez doesn’t budge though and he fires back with equally impressive head and body work.
There are flurries of impressive shots for Hatton but it’s simply not enough. At best Martinez is probably one point ahead. At worst he could be out of sight and over the hill.
Hatton needs a big, big final round.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard
Hatton vs Martinez
This is a really close fight. The action picks up a bit more again in the fourth as Hatton works the body with his lead hand before Martinez comes back with some nice body shots of his own. Tit for tat.
With a home crowd you would (somewhat sadly) expect these close rounds to go Hatton’s way. But you never know, he needs to make sure. And he isn’t at the moment.
Two to go.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk plus undercard
Lawrence Okolie watching on as he prepares to defend his WBO cruiserweight title this evening. The Olympian looks in tremendous shape ahead of his defence against Dilan Prasovic.
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