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Boxing

25th Sep 2021

Anthony Joshua sensationally beaten by Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk

Anthony Joshua has been sensationally beaten by Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, who becomes the new heavyweight champion of the world

Alex Roberts

AJ has suffered his first defeat since a loss to Andy Ruiz Jr.

Anthony Joshua has been sensationally beaten by Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.

The fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was billed as a homecoming, of sorts, for the Watford-born heavyweight, but Usyk controlled matters as if it was his own back yard.

Joshua was completely rocked by a thunderous left hand from the Ukrainian in round three, and although he fought back to arguably take rounds five and six, ultimately could not cope with Usyk’s measured and scientific approach.

The latter rounds unquestionably went to the Ukrainian, who had Joshua on the ropes as the final bell rung out.

Judges scored the fight 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113 all in favour of the Ukrainian who becomes the new heavyweight champion of the world.

Reaction was one of shock and amazement on social media, as much as it was inside the jam-packed Spurs home ground.

Praise was reserved for the hugely impressive Usyk too, who weighed in around 15 pounds lighter than Joshua.

We might have to wait a little while longer for the hotly-anticipated Joshua-Fury fight, because there’s a new name at the top table: Oleksandr Usyk.

https://twitter.com/DAZNBoxing/status/1441886894967574530?s=20

More to follow.