HOW USYK WON IBF, WBA AND WBO HEAVYWEIGHT TITLES AGAINST JOSHUA

British –Nigeria boxer Anthony Joshua lost all his Heavyweight belts to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London in a unanimous decision.

The reign of the Nigerian born boxing star came to an end in a stunning fashion as Usyk won the IBF, WBA and WBO titles having graduated as unified cruiserweight champion-turned heavyweight with just two wins at the heavyweight level before the Hotspur showdown.

The Ukranina’s agility, speed and skill of excellence proved to be too much for the former London Olympic gold winner. Joshua had suffered an early badly hurt injury in his right eye in the third round but carried on till the end of the fight. 

The defeat is second for Joshua who was defeated by Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 but made a challenge to reclaim his title in a rematch months later. With the loss to Usyk, Joshua’s dream of fighting Tyson Fury now hangs as the much anticipated undisputed title fight might not be a reality except he reclaims his title in future.

Joshua quest to repeat his ninth round win against Kubrat Pulev in December in his belt defense met a quicker fighter in a night injury in the right eye obviously affected his performance. Meanwhile, Tyson Fury is set to face Deobtay Wilder on October 9.

Usyk now follows the foot –steps of compatriot and former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko whom Anthony Joshua defeated in 2017 to win the world heavyweight crown. With the win Usyk becomes the only third boxer after Evander Holyfield and David Haye to win world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.