Oleksandr Usyk wins split decision over Anthony Joshua to retain three heavyweight titles

Last September, Oleksandr Usyk removed all doubt that he was a serious heavyweight when he produced a dominant display to dethrone Anthony Joshua and win three heavyweight titles. The question coming into Saturday's rematch was could Usyk have a repeat performance, or would Joshua be able to make the necessary adjustments and become a three-time heavyweight champion?

Joshua made some of the necessary changes, but when it counted, Usyk exemplified his exceptional boxing skills in the championship rounds to beat the Englishman by split decision (113-115, 116-112, 115-113) to retain the IBF, WBA (super), and WBO heavyweight titles and capture the Ring title in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. DAZN had the fight scored 115-113 for Usyk. 

It was a tactical affair through the opening four rounds with neither guy able to gain a clear cut advantage. Starting in the fifth round, Usyk and Joshua started to let their hands go with Joshua putting an emphasis on the body while Usyk focused upstairs. 

Joshua looked to be on the verge of closing the show in the ninth round. The former two-time, three-belt heavyweight champion had Usyk on the ropes and nearly out on his feet with one power shot upstairs after another. The belts seemed to be on the verge of heading back to the United Kingdom. 

Usyk survived the onslaught and made it out of the round. He came out with a vengeance in the last three rounds of the fight. He used his slick techniques to confuse Joshua and almost send him to the canvas in the tenth round. With the fight hanging in the balance in the 12th and final round, Usyk didn't put the foot on the gas pedal. Instead, he went right at Joshua with power, combinations, and volume punches. His work in the last three rounds helped him to hold onto the gold and record a successful first title defense. 

According to CompuBox, in the last three rounds, Usyk threw 232 punches compared to 149 for Joshua and outlanded him 79-29. 

What's next for Usyk? With WBC champion Tyson Fury once again announcing his retirement last week, it appears that is unknown. Usyk isn't buying what Fury is trying to sell everyone. Usyk made it clear that if Fury is retired, he is sitting on the sidelines. 

"I'm sure that Tyson Fury is not retired," Usyk said in his post-fight interview. "I'm convinced he wants to fight me. I wanna fight him. If I'm not fighting Tyson Fury, I'm not fighting at all."