War he really the one or rather the other? The boxing world marveled at two very different men on Sunday night, both of whom looked like British professional Anthony Joshua. One was a relaxed fan favorite who gave a big hug in the ring at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena, 30 kilometers north of the Saudi port city of Jeddah, Oleksandr Usyk – the opponent he was only too happy to knock out in twelve memorable rounds that are already history would have.
It was a moving moment as the two contenders in this heavyweight world championship wrapped themselves together in the light blue and yellow flag of Usyk’s home country of Ukraine. He reminded an estimated 35,000 spectators in the arena and millions in front of the screens that there were more important fights at the moment.
“I should have won”
The second book of Joshua, on the other hand, told of a challenger who was embittered because of the narrow, non-unanimous decision (115:113 and 116:112 for Usyk, 115:113 for Joshua), who returned to the ring shortly after his exit to play there without being asked to take the floor.
In doing so, he drew a wide, wild arc, from his humble origins to asking everyone to show respect to the declared winner from Kyiv Oblast. His diction had suddenly shifted level, from Oxford to near Cockney, and his eyes sparkled with anger and disappointment. “I should have won,” he exclaimed. Similarly, he had previously asked the world champion provocatively: “How could you have beaten me?”
The ambivalent impression left by the 1.98 meter tall giant may have been quite disturbing in the first few minutes after one of the best, because most balanced, title fights in recent times. Basically, however, this moment only reflected Joshua’s opposing feelings unfiltered. The Brit had shown his respect for the adversary at all dates leading up to the rematch, despite the fact that he had snatched away his handsome collection of three-federation (WBA, IBF, WBO) world championship belts in London eleven months ago.
The public was spared the absence of the pretentious insults that accompany so many ballyhoo prizefighters. But his frustration at not being able to defeat the upstart cruiserweight, who was four inches in range (and a good ten kilos) on the second try, was too deep. “He wanted that win more than anything,” said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.
Especially since he had reinvented himself with the new coach Robert Garcia and with a significantly different strategy. Not to mention the hardships of intensive preparation. Joshua said he made the necessary changes during this difficult time in order to face the more complete boxing opponent on an equal footing. That might not have been enough in the end, “but I left everything at the gym.”
From compact cover and on initially nimble legs, 32-year-old Joshua made sure right at the start that the defending champion, who was three years his senior, couldn’t outbox him as easily as in the first meeting. He played his physical advantages in a controlled and patient manner and repeatedly landed powerful hits.
They noticeably took the flexible opponent’s air and mobility with the uncomfortable right-hand position. As Usyk gradually increased the pace and frequency of his multiple combinations, Joshua preferred to respond with single shots. That wasn’t necessarily the tried and tested method, but it almost led to an early triumph in the ninth round because Usyk wobbled after several effective hits.
Joshua and Usyk switch roles
But great champions show how they come back, and in that respect Usyk once again proved to be the absolute master. The shrewd fighter with the Cossack braid moved forward after the break and found 39 shots from all angles. Joshua’s legs grew heavier and heavier under their combined effects.
Joshua only sought his salvation in a few, easily guessed swings and could no longer be reached for coach Garcia’s warnings to use the left lead hand. The declared folk hero of Ukraine was able to clearly dominate the last rounds, also known as “Championship Rounds”.
Olexander Usyk celebrates after his victory.
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Image: EPA
Now Joshua and Usyk have switched roles. From now on, it’s not the Brit, but the Ukrainian who is the first candidate for a fight with WBC world champion Tyson Fury, in which all four belts are up for grabs. And that’s exactly the fight that the newly confirmed multiple champion Usyk has in mind: “If I can’t box against Fury, I won’t box at all anymore.”
