He’s not on the all-time list just yet; but Oleksandr Usyk is sure looking like he’s on that yellow-brick road. In upsetting Anthony Joshua, Usyk flips boxing world. And in retrospect, the way the Ukrainian took “AJ’s” belts shouldn’t be as shocking as it sounds.
To quote Tony Bellew:
“AJ got into a boxing match with a master boxer. He needed to use his size and to be a bully in there.”
Some results in boxing just don’t happen. Like Floyd Mayweather losing a scorecard in Vegas, Canelo Alvarez losing on a Mexican holiday, and you can add Joshua losing on the cards in the United Kingdom. Well, you can now scratch that last one off the list.
The shorter fighter used his strengths like a surgeon doing quadruple heart surgery. Usyk’s footwork, constant head movement, jabs, and a laser like left hand was the story of the fight. When he took the opening three rounds, it silenced the more than 60,000 strong in attendance.
It appeared Joshua was figuring him out in the middle rounds as they traded back-and-forth advantages in the middle rounds. But the 34-year old southpaw wasn’t going anywhere. Even when he was being stalked he’d fire more at Joshua than the other way around. It was that left that had Joshua in trouble a couple of times, and swelled his right eye shut. And if the fight was 30-seconds longer, Joshua may have tasted the canvas, as Usyk teed off.
Usyk Flips Boxing World
Once the scorecards were read (117-112, 116-112, 115-113), Usyk went from a crafty unorthodox question mark to a legit threat to unify all the heavyweight straps. Of course Joshua has an automatic rematch clause, however a seriously damaged eye may make him wait for it. Post fight Usyk himself said he wasn’t thinking about a rematch, rather he wants to spend time with his kids who he misses.
In speaking post fight with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, he said:
“AJ looked tired as the fight went on, and the better man won tonight, doing the rematch now is tough. Especially if he doesn’t change things”.
What’s Next
Proving the rematch isn’t the path, then the winner of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder 3 is next. And then Usyk has the opportunity to become a former unified champion at cruiserweight, and a unified heavyweight champion. Which brings back memories of Evander Holyfield. And the former Olympic Gold Medalist remains undefeated at 19-0.
If it’s Fury, it’ll be a boxing match where both fighters play chess. Should it be Wilder, Usyk’s countering ability could hurt “The Bronze Bomber”, but it’s unlikely he’d be able to finish him, or take it to the cards.
