Usyk Triumphs Against Joshua In Rematch

The rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua for the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles was undoubtedly the biggest fight of the year so far when it took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at the weekend. Usyk was looking to retain the belts, with Joshua keen to exact revenge on his rival after losing to the Ukrainian last year.

In the first bout between the pair, it’s fair to say things didn’t go to plan for then-champion Joshua. The Brit decided to attempt to box Usyk, who ended up dominating the fight from start to finish because of his superior level of boxing skill. It was the wrong game plan from the former two-time world heavyweight champion, and he knew things had to change ahead of the rematch in Saudi Arabia.

One of AJ's first changes was to his coaching team, with long-time trainer Rob McCracken replaced by the renowned Robert Garcia. Joshua decided to keep Angel Fernandez around, with Fernandez and Garcia the team leading him on his quest to regain the heavyweight titles he lost at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by unanimous decision.

In the rematch, it was immediately noticeable that Joshua was boxing different to how he did when the pair met for the first time. He kept his guard up and attempted to walk Usyk down, using his power, size and weight when the right moments to do so arose. But from the get-go, the Ukrainian looked like he too had stepped up his game, with his movement allowing him to stay out of danger from Joshua’s trademark big shots.

Usyk undoubtedly took the early rounds, even though Joshua's corner suggested they were winning the bout. What the former undisputed cruiserweight champion was able to do was get his shots off before spinning away from Joshua. And, whenever AJ tried to back him up on the ropes or force his weight on him, Usyk was keen to throw him off to show he wasn’t going to be bullied by the much bigger man under any circumstances.

It was always going to be the case that AJ would have a spell in the fight, with Usyk’s movement not sustainable for each of the twelve rounds. Joshua began to see some success in the eighth before coming on strong in the ninth. Excitement built ringside, as there was a feeling Usyk was in trouble, but while he appeared uncomfortable, he never looked in any danger.

And, what Usyk did from round ten onwards showed why he’s one of the greatest fighters of all time. He dug deep to find the determination to win the rounds down the stretch, dominating a weary Joshua and delivering flurries of well-timed shots without much of a reply. And while the bout ended in a split decision in Usyk’s favour, he was the clear winner and a boxer in the elite category that AJ and most others can’t reach.