Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight championship reign ended by Oleksandr Usyk’s spectacular efficiency

Anthony Joshua was overwhelmed by an excellent show of talent from Oleksandr Usyk of their pulsating world heavyweight championship battle on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Joshua’s reign as IBF, WBA and WBO champion was led to a sensational battle which Usyk took by a unanimous choice after a scintillating efficiency.

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Joshua was badly damage within the third spherical after which compelled to cling on within the closing seconds of a battle which can reside lengthy within the reminiscence.

The second defeat of Joshua’s profession, after he was upset by Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, will now devastate hopes of the dream undisputed title battle in opposition to Tyson Fury, who once more faces Deontay Wilder on October 9, after Usyk inflicted one other twist on this unbelievable division.

Although Joshua was courageous and gutsy, and brought on injury on his challenger’s face, the night time belonged to Usyk who grew to become solely the third boxer (after Evander Holyfield and David Haye) to win world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.

He was the undisputed cruiserweight champion and is now solely lacking the WBC belt, owned by Fury, to match that feat at heavyweight.

Usyk twice touched Joshua along with his quick left hand contained in the opening spherical – any concept that he would field cautiously evaporated inside seconds when his intention grew to become clear to take the centre of the ring.

The pace and motion of Usyk was mesmerising for the primary few rounds and he was always beating Joshua to the punch.

Joshua’s legs dramatically dipped, inflicting the group to gasp, when Usyk staggered him with one other good left hand on the conclusion of the third spherical.

Joshua landed his first vital proper hand within the fifth spherical, drawing a wry smile from Usyk, however it was clear that the champion had lastly left his mark. He discovered one other proper hand on the bell for the top of the fifth.

These photographs compelled Usyk onto his again foot within the sixth, when Joshua landed an much more stable proper hand. Usyk ended the spherical with a black eye and a reddened face having felt his energy.

Joshua’s confidence grew as he landed a left hook to the physique however, when he went upstairs, Usyk shot again with venom.

Joshua was then despatched staggering backwards, and he did nicely to keep up his footing, when Usyk clipped him with a left hand in an engrossing seventh,

Joshua thudded a number of highly effective physique punches dwelling within the eighth – it was clear that the enigmatic Ukrainian was feeling the additional weight of the Brit in these photographs.

Each fighters had substantial wounds by the tenth – Usyk was lower and had blood seeping into his eye, however extra worryingly Joshua’s proper eye was badly swollen.

Usyk’s quick begin within the eleventh had Joshua off-balance and in peril of tumbling over, though the champion did fireplace again.

Usyk was throwing extra punches however Joshua was bravely standing his floor and attempting gallantly to cling onto his titles.

Joshua was compelled to desperately survive on the ropes as the ultimate bell rang beneath an intense onslaught from Usyk. He stayed upright however it was not sufficient to salvage his second reign as champion.

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