Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk showed respect to one another backstage after their fight on Saturday night.
Nigerian-born Britain’s unified heavyweight champion, Joshua, was outboxed and dethroned by the Ukrainian, who put on a magnificent performance to make history. According to Joshua, he couldn’t see properly as at the ninth round as he had one of his eyes covered and swollen. This left him unable to see properly, hence the loss. Usyk’s speed, movement, and accuracy troubled AJ all night long.
Though the Brit had moments of success throughout the fight, but could not maintain this long enough to emerge victoriously. According to the judges’ sheets, Usyk ultimately outclassed Joshua and had him out on his feet in the final round, with the bell saving AJ from being knocked out. It was a win by unanimous decision for the Ukrainian as the scores were 117-112, 116-112, 115-113, in his favor, crowning Usyk a two-division king of the world.
Behind the scenes, there was plenty of respect between the pair. They even shared a joke after the fight. Usyk returned AJ’s belts to him and the pair shook hands. Joshua and Usyk kept things respectful throughout the build-up to their fight and they continued this after the final bell.
Backstage, the pair met up, shook hands, and embraced, with Usyk returning AJ’s belts to him as he will be sent new ones by the sanctioning bodies.
There is confirmation that Joshua intends to take the rematch and so AJ told him: “See you soon.”
