Anthony Joshua loses control of heavyweight division after upset loss to Oleksandr Usyk

Most expected heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua to take care of the smaller Oleksandr Usyk. Instead, he got worked and lost his titles. 

Anthony Joshua had youth, size, and the hometown London crowd on his side against Oleksandr Usyk, and he still lost all of his heavyweight boxing titles.

Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) was a 3-1 favorite headed into his Sept. 25 title defense against Usyk, but it wasn’t his night, and Usyk’s boxing was scientific.

Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) was the undisputed cruiserweight champion and 2012 heavyweight Olympic gold medalist. Joshua was the 2012 super heavyweight Olympic gold medalist, but Usyk proved to be the more skilled boxer in their matchup.

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Anthony Joshua loses to Oleksandr Usyk in stunning upset

The 34-year-old Usyk scored an early lead on the cards. He won the first three rounds on FanSided’s card and had Tottenham Hotspur Stadium confused. Usyk’s footwork and hand speed had Joshua flustered.

https://twitter.com/DAZNBoxing/status/1441883661561778176?s=20

Joshua found his pace in the middle rounds, but Usyk beat up Joshua in rounds 10 and 12. Joshua looked out on his feet in round 12. Usyk to his fight game to a new level and beat up a champion 3-inches taller and 20 pounds heavier.

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Usyk was the winner on all three judges’ scorecards handing him the unanimous decision victory and the WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles. Expect them to run this one back, but Usyk just jumped to the top of the heavyweight food chain.