Joshua loses his crowns following a Ukrainian masterclass
Anthony Joshua’s reign as world heavyweight champion was ended and a ‘Battle of Britain’ fight against Tyson Fury is in tatters after Oleksandr Usyk claimed a stunning unanimous decision win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Usyk was giving up three inches in height and four in reach, as well as nearly 20lb in weight, but the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion’s technical acumen came to the fore in an electric atmosphere.
Joshua finished the bout slumped against the ropes as his smaller foe looked for a dramatic finish and while it was not forthcoming, Usyk claimed the WBA, IBF and WBO titles after he was given the nod by all three judges.
Scores of 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113 were just reward after a near-masterclass from the unbeaten Usyk, who became only the third fighter after Evander Holyfield and David Haye to win world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.
Joshua, who was obligated to face WBO mandatory challenger Usyk after a bout against Fury fell through earlier this year, seemed accepting of the result when the scores came as he suffered just the second defeat of his career.
As well as giving up several physical advantages to Joshua, Usyk had to contend with the hostile atmosphere that greeted his entrance to the ring from the more than 62,000 that attended this bout.
But he retained an intense focus throughout and his combination of speed and almost non-stop movement from an awkward southpaw stance befuddled Joshua, whose right eye became increasingly swollenn as the fight wore on after a succ cession of rapid left hands fo ound their mark.
Joshua was hurt on several occasions, most notably in the final seconds of the fight as a flurry of punches sent the Briton reeling back to the ropes, just about hanging on from the onslaug ght before being put ou ut of his misery by the judges. dges.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said the camp were “gutted” at the defeat.
“We have obviously been here before, but this time we are here against a pound-for-pound great fighter,” Hearn said.
“The Andy Ruiz defeat was difficult to take because it was a shock to the system.
“This is one we knew could happen if he didn’t get it right, and he didn’t get it right.
“I don’t think AJ boxed a great fight tonight, Usyk boxed an excellent fight.
“It was all the things we worried about in the fight before, the over-thinking, trying to stand and box with him, and he took too many shots early. Usyk went through the gears and was a bit more aggressive than I thought he was going to be. He was the deserved winner tonight”
New champion Usyk reflected on a job well done after outboxing Joshua.
“This means a lot for me. The fight went the way I expected it to go. There were moments when Anthony pushed me hard but it was nothing special,” Usyk said.
“I have been working so hard since January in preparation for this fight, it took me half a year and I didn’t see my family for so long.
“I missed seeing them playing. I want to go home and be happy with my family and I’m not thinking about the rematch.”
■ Lenin Castillo was last night rushed to hospital after being knocked out by Callum Smith on the undercard of Joshua-usyk bill.
An overhand right from the Liverpudlian midway through the second round caught Castillo flush on the temple, leading referee Bob Williams to immediately halt the contest after the Dominican had hit the canvas.
Eddie Hearn wrote on Twitter: “A horrible brutal knockout. Castillo is responsive and on his way to hospital.”