World boxing champion Alexander Usyk remains the heavyweight king. In the agreed rematch, the Ukrainian defeated British ex-champion Anthony Joshua on points on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Usyk thus keeps his world championship belt according to the WBA, WBO and IBF associations.
The 35-year-old Usyk, once the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world, is now unbeaten in his 20th pro fight. The noble technician is only missing the WBC title, which was last held by Tyson Fury (Great Britain), who recently announced his retirement from boxing.
After only his fourth heavyweight fight, Usyk directly challenged Fury. “I’m sure Tyson Fury hasn’t finally resigned, I’m convinced he wants to fight me,” Usyk said: “I want to fight him, if it’s not Tyson Fury I won’t do it at all battle.”
Fury immediately responds to Usyk request
Fury responded promptly and tweeted on social media. “It was one of the worst heavyweight fights I’ve seen. I would finish both of them in one night,” he said on Instagram: “Get the checkbook out.”
Only on September 25 of the previous year had Usyk Joshua in London and defeated on points. After the Russian war of aggression began in February, Usyk initially joined the Ukrainian army before returning to training.
“I dedicate this win to my country, my family, my team and all the soldiers who are defending the country,” said Usyk, who topped two out of three judges.
Joshua initially could not accept his third defeat in the 27th professional fight. He grabbed Usyk’s belt and threw her out of the ring, breaking down in tears at the post-fight press conference. The 32-year-old, who defeated Wladimir Klitschko by knockout in his last fight in April 2017, is at a crossroads.
Joshua dismissed speculation about a resignation as “nonsense” before the fight. Joshua had already lost all his titles to Andy Ruiz Jr. (USA) in 2019, but then won them back six months later in Diriyah / Saudi Arabia.