Oleksandr Usyk defeated Nigeria/British boxer Anthony Joshua on Saturday night in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to retain his title.
Joshua gave a good account of himself but met a stiffer opposition in Oleksandr Usyk
Both fighters held up the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag as the judges’ scores were read out at King Abdullah Sport City arena.
When he was declared the winner, Usyk hid his face behind the flag. The 35-year-old Usyk kept his WBA, WBO and IBF belts six months after serving in the Ukrainian army as part of the country’s defence against Russia’s invasion.
The WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO world titles remain in Usyk’s hands – and he takes the Ring Magazine strap too.
Joshua would go down the pecking order and would have to revive his career by fighting in the lower cadre of the heavyweight category.
Meanwhile, Usyk who is 35 years of ah is still unbeaten at the cruiserweight and now heavyweight categories
Adreesin=after beating Anthony Joshua:
“I want to thank everyone who prayed for me. I want to thank God for the help he gave me today because he did give me a lot today. My lord is Jesus Christ. I can thank you Saudi. Thank you so much.
“I devote this victory to my family, my country, my team, to all the military defending this country. Thank you so much.
“This is already history. Many generations are going to watch this fight especially the round when someone tried to beat me hard but I stood it and came back.”
On whether he will fight Tyson Fury to unify the titles: “I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I’m not fighting Fury I’m not fighting at all.
“Only God knows whether I will fight him or not but all these gentlemen here around me, my team, they are going to help me.
“Thanks Lord for everything.”