LIVE: Heavyweight superstar Anthony Joshua has made a superb start to his massive world title rematch against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua enjoyed the early rounds better after targeting the body of his 35-year-old rival, showing a much more focused tactical approach compared to last year’s defeat.
The Briton was not as easily drawn into the feints and throwing movements of his lighter southpaw opponent, and showed better footwork and balance, allowing him to become more offensive, compared to Usyk’s early assault in their first meeting.
But Usyk soon made the adjustments and began roaring back, despite a brutal low blow from Joshua in the fifth round that landed on his hip bone and left him wincing.
But Joshua began to fall further and further behind his opponent as the fight wore on. However, Joshua found his opponent’s body far more often than in their initial meeting, most notably in a thrilling eighth round.
Usyk’s incomparable movement began to slow down as Joshua surged ahead in the ninth, sending his rival running to huge cheers from the crowd. Joshua was able to use his greater physicality for the first time in either of their two meetings, with commentators saying he was able to “harass” Usyk.
But the Ukrainian returned the favor by upping his output in a vicious flurry in the 10th round that gave Joshua pause. Joshua rocked his opponent, only to be hammered in response, with Joshua retreating to the ropes as his legs gave out.
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Joshua, 32, is bidding to regain the world titles he lost to Ukraine’s Usyk, who beat the Briton by unanimous decision in London last September.
Two-time heavyweight champion Joshua tipped the scales at 110.9 kilograms (244.5 pounds) while Ukraine’s Usyk weighed in at 100.5 kilograms (221.6 pounds), both similar to the fight from last year in London.
Some pundits have said a third professional defeat could end the career of the former Olympic heavyweight gold medallist, a claim dismissed by Joshua.
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Joshua’s retirement says “rubbish” | 00:51
“I’m competing with a pound-for-pound fighter (one of the most skilled of all weight classes),” he told AFP ahead of the fight in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“I’m not losing against someone has been. It is crazy to suggest that I should retire. “If he lost to one of the best fighters in the world today (people would say) ‘Oh, he should retire, he lost to one of the best’. What kind of nonsense is that?”
START TIME
The main card starts around 2:00 AEST and the main event is likely to start around 7:45 AEST.
HOW TO LOOK
You can watch Usyk v Joshua 2 LIVE in the main event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday 21st August from 3am AEST.ORDER NOW
But the Ukrainian hero entered the fray
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COMPLETE CARD RESULTS
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua, WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles
Filip Hrgovic defeated Zhilei Zhang by unanimous decision (115x112x2, 114-113) – IBF Heavyweight Eliminator
Callum Smith defeated Mathieu Bauderlique by KO in the fourth round
Badou Jack defeated Richard Rivera by split decision (96-94, 94-96, 96-94)
Ziyad Almaayouf defeated Jose Alatorre by TKO in the first round
Ramla Ali defeated Crystal Garcia Nova by first round TKO
CONTROVERSY IN THE WAR OF HEAVY WEIGHTS
There was drama in the penultimate bout as unbeaten heavyweights Filip Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang battled it out in an impressive 12-round war.
Zhang dropped his opponent in the first round and looked to be in control, before Hrgovic rallied in a roller-coaster battle.
Two of the judges give it to Hrgovic by a margin of 115-112, and the third gives it to the Croatian 114-113, leading to boos from the crowd and Zhang shouting “I won!”
Hrgovic said: “Warrior, man. This is for my father who passed away a few months ago… it was a very close fight, I was losing the fight but in the last rounds I pushed myself, I gave it my all.”
“To be honest, I was surprised. It was better than I thought.
“It was a close fight, but I thought I won.”
MONSTER KO STUNS
British boxer Callum Smith is “one step closer” to becoming a two-time world champion after a stunning fourth-round TKO victory on Sunday morning (AEST).
Smith, who was fighting Mathieu Bauderlique in a WBC light heavyweight title eliminator, had his opponent on the ropes until the fourth round before a stunning left hook ended the bout.
The 32-year-old looked comfortable before a stunning kick dropped Bauderlique, who nearly fell through the ropes as he clung to his knees.
Smith won his first world title against George Groves in 2018, but now looks set for another chance to etch his name into the history books once again.
“I want a world title, that’s all I want… Tonight (I’m) probably one step closer,” Smith said after the fight.
“I just want to keep winning and at some point I want to become world champion.”
MORE BOXING NEWS
Why Fury Could Be Lured For ‘Biggest Fight In Boxing History’
Joshua teases heavyweight nemesis Fury for retirement
Joshua “must win” the title rematch to save his legacy, while the challenger fights for a country at war
‘He has to win… I like the pressure’ | 00:48
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