Joshua Outboxed; Loses To Usyk

By Akinwale Kasali

In front of his home fans and his fortress at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium in London, United Kingdom, Nigerian born British Boxer, Anthony Joshua, was pummeled and outclassed by the superior punches of Ukrainian Pugilist, Oleksander Usyk. He has dethroned

Joshua as the Heavyweight Champion of the World.

No one gave Usyk a chance, but the former Cruiserweight Champion showed what he got in his sleeves. He is now the  undisputed heavyweight champion as he put an end to the dominance of Joshua. He earned a unanimous decision with scores of 117-112, 116-112, and 115-113.

A more determined Usyk outmuscled and landed harder punches all through the fight, in total, landing 148  punches, which was the most by an opponent of Joshua in a fight.

In dramatic fashion, Usyk closed the show by landing 29 punches in round 12, most by a Joshua opponent.

This is the second defeat Joshua will suffer in his career after his loss to Mexican, Andy Ruiz over a year ago.

The Win by Usyk has caused an upset in the Heavyweight category, putting an hold to the fight between Tyson Fury and Joshua, putting him a pole position to challenge whoever wins between Tyson Fury and Deotoney Wilder rematch.

Joshua however has a rematch clause in his fight with Usyk, which could see him retain his title and await whoever wins the Fury/Wilder fight.

The defeat is no doubt a major setback for Joshua who is bent on becoming the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world, but warnings by British Boxing Promoter, Eddie Hearn, of Joshua facing

his “toughest-ever fight” when he defend is WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against Usyk has finally come to reality.

With Usyk becoming the new heavyweight champion of the world, it is a long walk for Joshua.

Also, the most anticipated British bout between Joshua and Fury may never come to reality if Joshua fails to defeat Usyk in the rematch and also, if Fury fails to defeat Wilder for the second time.