Oleksandr Usyk said before his rematch with Anthony Joshua that he planned to pick up where he left off in the first fight, a fight he won via unanimous decision.
He did exactly that.
Usyk, boxing steadily, survived some tough times (and some curious points) to defeat Joshua by split decision at Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. Usyk retained his WBA, WBO and IBF title belts.
Two judges had Usyk win the fight 115-113, 116-112, while the third scored it for Joshua 115-112.
Maxboxing made Usyk win 116-112.
The fight was more of a game of chess than fireworks in the opening verse. Usyk, as is his norm, swung and weaved, looking to counter. Joshua went to the body. Usyk, a southpaw, hit and scored with a left at the bell.
Joshua committed to body work in the second round, landing a sideways right. Usyk scored with a mid-high jab. Joshua scored to the head and body to win the round.
Usyk (21-0, 13 KOs) tried to pick up the pace in the third round. He bounced and moved to her left.
Joshua (24-3. 22 KOs) hit Usyk in the body. That had to hurt. Usyk defended himself. Joshua kept his cool and landed to the right. Usyk scored from the left to the head at the bell.
Usyk came out first in the fourth round. He broke Joshua with a left hand down the middle. Seconds later, he dialed again. Usyk landed more body and head shots.
Joshua fired a right hand in the fifth round. Usyk had found some rhythm. Joshua continued to fire punches into the midsection. Usyk landed a solid left to the jaw.
Usyk.35. looked to build on his success in the later rounds. His movement had Joshua unsure. Usyk scored with a right to the face and walked away. Joshua scored with a big jab. Usyk landed combinations.
In the seventh round, Usyk hit Joshua with a jab. Joshua fired a big right hand. Usyk walked away. He worked the body and landed two sneaky left hands to win another round.
Joshua had fallen into the rhythm Usyk was setting. The Ukrainian champion was surpassing him in his work and cunning. Joshua landed another solid body shot. Seconds later, he landed one more.
Usyk scored with a combination to the face.
Joshua defended himself. Usyk connected with a solid left hand.
In round nine, Joshua moved forward, pinning Usyk to the ropes. He unloaded below. Joshua scored with two hooks and several punches that had Usyk behind selling and in trouble.
The fight was close through nine rounds. Could Joshua take advantage of his newfound drive?
Nope.
Usyk, though very tired, came out pounding in round 10. He fought like he was upset that Joshua had done so well in the previous stanza.
A combination of shots staggered Joshua back to the body. Joshua then landed a big right hand. Usyk pushed Joshua back a couple of steps. He unloaded several shots that injured Joshua.
Usyk came out first in round 11. Joshua tried to make him pay. Instead, Usyk hit Joshua with a right hand to the jaw.
Joshua went straight back to the body. Usyk rocked Joshua with a hard left hand. Joshua would need to do something dramatic in the last round.
Usyk beat Joshua with a three punch combination. Joshua defended himself.
Usyk was fighting like a guy who refused to lose.
