Roar of the winner. PHOTO: DAZN
He fought not only for himself, but also for the whole of Ukraine. And he stood first. Oleksandr Usyk defended his WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight boxing belts in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. After his second victory over Briton Anthony Joshua, he also received recognition from President Volodymyr Zelensky. And quite possibly he managed to lure the last remaining relevant juice in the heavyweight division, Tyson Fury, out of retirement.
“This match was extremely important for my country, my team and me personally, because I boxed for the whole country and half the world,” Usyk emphasized the importance of the win at the press conference.
Joshua improved visibly from the previous defeat in Tottenham, he was able to keep up with his conqueror, however, Usyk went through the match with ease, mercilessly punishing any mistakes of the Briton and saw a well-deserved victory.
“Difficult, but important and necessary victory. Defending the titles of the world champion is a symbol that everyone with a Cossack character will never give up, fight to the end and definitely win,” Ukrainian President Zelenskyy commented on Usyk’s triumph.
The veteran champion announced immediately after the win that he wants to fight Tyson Fury, the WBC world champion, for all the heavyweight belts. Although the Brit has officially ended his career.
Fury was bragging, Joshua was crying
“I’m sure that Tyson Fury hasn’t finished his career yet. I’m convinced that he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. And if I don’t box with Tyson Fury, I won’t fight anyone,” Usyk said.
However, Gipsy King soon poured a shower of contempt on him and Joshua via social networks.
“Be honest with yourselves guys. I looked at you and you both were shit. God! I’d crush both of you in one evening, you motherfuckers. Get out your checkbooks because Gypsy King is here to stay always!” roared Fury in a now-deleted Instagram post.
And he continued on. “This was the worst title fight in heavyweight history. Joshua lost to Usyk for the second time and England lost the belts. Again, as usual. But there is a cure for this. If you want the belts back, put the Gypsy barbarian from England in there. Send me there and I’m going to relieve that Ukrainian beggar of his belts, like I did with another Ukrainian beggar last time, but it won’t be cheap,” he hinted at a desire to return to the ring, referring to his victory over former Ukrainian champion Wladimir Klitschko.
The allusions reached Usyk during the press conference and he was able to react to them. “That’s something Fury can only dream about every day. I’m going to beat his fart…,” he posted in a similar vein.
The winner of Saturday’s duel also only learned at the press conference that Joshua wanted to attack members of the Ukrainian’s team with his fists during his extempore, during which he angrily walked towards the dressing room and threw Usyk’s belts out of the ring.
Usyk commented on it with insight. “I wouldn’t advise him to do that. My guys are the sharpest street fighters in the world,” he laughed.
While he was in the mood for jokes, the defeated Joshua was wallowing in rage and sadness. His career took a crushing blow after his second consecutive defeat. He didn’t even hold back tears in front of the journalists.
“It’s really, really hard for me to say that I’m proud of myself. I don’t feel anything. I’m just … angry. Deep in my heart,” a devastated Joshua blurted out.
However, his promoter Eddie Hearn denied the rumors about the end of Joshua’s career.
