OLEKSANDR USYK defeated Anthony Joshua with a thrilling split-decision win in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua put in a far improved performance, but could not beat the speed of Usyk despite rocking the Ukrainian on a number of occasions.
AJ then threw down the title belts after the result was read, and sparked concussion fears after a rambling speech in the ring after.
Usyk called out Tyson Fury after his stunning win, and he said would retire if he doesn't get the fight against the Gypsy King.
Follow ALL the latest reaction with SunSport's live blog right here.
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- Jack Figg
Lennox Lewis weighs in
Lennox Lewis has urged Anthony Joshua to come again – with plenty of big fights still out there.
He tweeted: "Great fight by Usyk. Congrats on the win. Definitely earned it. Good showing by AJ too..don’t fret.
"There are still big fights out there we want to see."
Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing - Jack Figg
Something Ant right
Fans and pundits feared Anthony Joshua suffered a concussion in his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
The former unified heavyweight champion flew into a fit of rage after suffering a second successive points defeat to the slick southpaw in their Saudi rematch.
He did, however, repeatedly praise Usyk for his display in their rematch in his x-rated post-fight interview.
Joshua's behaviour left many stunned, including training partner Frazer Clarke.
The Olympian said: "Maybe he was concussed. I would have taken a dog to take that microphone off him.’
"I apologise for the team, someone from the team should have saved him. Anthony’s a good person, it was out of character.
"Someone should have jumped in and stopped him. It was only words at the wrong time."
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
Usyk's emotional dedication
Oleksandr Usyk could barely contain his emotions after beating Anthony Joshua for a second time.
He said: "I devote this victory to my country."
Both AJ and Usyk held up the Ukraine flag after the fight.
Credit: PA
- Jack Figg
Eye carumba
Anthony Joshua has been left with a bruised right eye following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ was bettered over 12 rounds for a second time and left the ring with some battle scars.
He said to UsyK: “This guy here is a phenomenal talent, we’re going to cheer for him three times.”
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
'Hung out to dry'
Frazer Clarke, who trains and spars with Anthony Joshua, feels his friend was let down by their team.
He said: "As a gym friend and a friend in general, for anyone offended in general by what happened, I think I can apologise on his behalf for the outburst.
"His team might be mad at me for saying this, but I feel he was hung out to dry there. Somebody should have saved him from himself.
"It's words, but in the true reflection of boxing, that was Usyk's time to celebrate that victory and he didn't get to do it straight away and I don't think that was right.
"Anthony is a great person and has done a lot for a lot of people, a lot for me, but I feel like he had a bit of a bad one there and it was out of character."
Credit: Twitter - Jack Figg
Tyson Fury breaks his silence
Tyson Fury has spoken out to slam Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua – while calling out the pair of them.
He said: "After watching that, the both of them work s***e.It was one of the worst heavyweight title fights I have ever seen.
"It was bulls***. Come one! I'd beat annihilate both of them on the same night. F***ing s***e.
"Get your f***ing chequebook out because the Gypsy King is here to stay, forever."
Credit: AFP - Jack Figg
Joshua's speech in full
Here is what AJ said as he grabbed the mic, took centre stage and addressed the fans after losing to Usyk.
He said: "If you knew my story you would understand the passion.
"I ain't no amateur boxer from five-years-old that was an elite prospect from youth.
"I was going to jail, I got bail and I started training my arse off, I wanted to be able to fight.
"I'm stealing this Usyk I'm sorry, but it's because of the passion we put into this.
"This guy to beat me tonight, maybe I could have done better, but it shows the level of hard work I put in so please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world."
He then added: "I'm not a 12 round fighter, look at me, I'm a new breed of heavyweights, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey, 'you don't throw combinations like Rocky Marciano', I'm 18 stone, I'm heavy, it's hard work.
"This guy here is a phenomenal talent, we're going to cheer for him three times."
Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing - Jack Figg
'Wasn't close'
Tyson Fury's uncle and former coach Peter has rejected claims the rematch was close.
He tweeted: "AJ a top fella but let’s be real here this fight wasn’t close at all.
"They need to watch it back. He don’t better and tried with everything but not enough scores where well out."
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
Conor hails Usyk… and slams Froch
Conor McGregor has reacted to Oleksandr Usyk's win over Anthony Joshua – and taken a swipe at Carl Froch.
He tweeted: "Usyk is some boxer. And froch is some w****r hahahaha."
Earlier in the night, he posted: "That froch tick little scrawny pencil neck I’ll grab his head and twist it clean off at a 1er with my bare hands.
"Little Wally of a thing I’ll Slap you around you little toffee nose toss pot."
Froch responded: "Who is this mouthy little p***k talking to? I will drag you outside with that wispy beard & show you how the big boys do it!!"
Credit: Pinnacle
- Jack Figg
Ed's up Tyson
Eddie Hearn says not even Tyson Fury can beat the great Oleksandr Usyk.
And he admits the right man won tonight, despite Anthony Joshua's reaction appearing to suggest he disagrees.
Usyk also hinted he will retire if he cannot fight Fury, who has already hung up his gloves.
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
Usyk calls out Tyson Fury
Usyk has appeared to say he will retire unless he fights Tyson Fury for the undisputed title.
He said: "I'm sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I'm convinced he wants to fight me.
"I want to fight him and if I'm not fighting Tyson Fury, I'm not fighting at all."
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
Wilder reacts
Deontay Wilder has reacted to Oleksandr Usyk's rematch win over Anthony Joshua.
He tweeted: "They tried to lock me in for insurance because they knew he wasn’t going to Win.
"This is strictly a business, Not a sport there’s a different."
- Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Joshua is now on the microphone, he explains that he started boxing late after going in prison.
AJ going on a tangent and explains that he is not a 12-round fighter – due to his 18stone size – and suggests he's a KO artist.
He does congratulate Usyk and talks about the war going on in Ukraine.
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Bit of drama post-fight as Joshua looks furious.
It followed after AJ threw away his title belts but it is unclear what sparked his furious reaction.
Now Usyk and Joshua are arguing in the ring… what on Earth is going on?
- Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Judges score the bout, 115-113 Anthony Joshua, 115-113 Oleksandr Usyk and finally 116-112 the winner… OLEKSANDR USYK.
It's repeat in Saudi Arabia, as AJ fails in his revenge mission, leaving Usyk almost in tears.
Joshua shakes Usyk's hands as the pair embrace post-fight.
Credit: Getty
- Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Joshua had his moments and has pushed Usyk further than anyone else before him.
But Usyk was just too good, too classy, and it looks as though AJ has accepted that.
We will await both the scorecards and Tyson Fury's imminent reaction…
Credit: Getty - Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 12 – Usyk lands some big shots on the ropes but Joshua continues to come forward.
Usyk letting his hands go, flashy combinations, all sorts of angles, all in the final round too.
The fight goes the distance and after it's all said and done, Joshua can be proud of the performance he put on.
But he came up against a modern great tonight, just as he did last September. The scorecards now follow.
Anthony Joshua (left) and Oleksandr Usyk in action during their World Heavyweight Championship WBA Super IBF, IBO and WBO fight at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Picture date: Saturday August 20, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story BOXING Jeddah. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to [â¦]Credit: PA - Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 12 –Right hand for AJ snaps Usyk's head back, he's got to come forward and roll the dice.
Usyk evades a right hand and comes back with a combo of his own.
Right hands lands for AJ! But Usyk takes it well and maybe the Brit just cannot put a dent in the Ukrainian great.
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 11 – Heading into the final round and AJ needs either a massive round, a knockout or some poor judges to save him.
But he has not given up, bitten down on his gum shield when needed and put Usyk is nervy moments.
Usyk though is a special fighter and showing his class here as we enter the final three minutes.
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 11 – Two body shots land for AJ but Usyk looks as alive as ever.
Joshua lands with a lovely right hook to the body, Usyk looked hurt but covered up well on the ropes.
Corkscrew right hand lifts AJ's chin up and the champion looks classy here. He's pouring on the pressure and fighting the fight strong.
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 10 – What a round.Usyk started really strong, had Joshua in trouble.
Then AJ came back with a right hand of his own but failed to follow it up.
A big uppercut for Usyk then landed and a flurry of combinations soon followed.The champion is in the driving seat.
Credit: PA
- Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 10 – NOW JOSHUA LANDS A BIG SHOT.
Usyk look staggered but Joshua fails to follow it up and may have left the champion off the hook.
Here comes Usyk, this round has swung both ways and AJ is in trouble again, he looks to be struggling for balance.
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 10 – Fast start from Usyk, who letting his hands go and making AJ miss.
Left hands lands for Usyk and AJ IS IN TROUBLE. He takes a big
Hook staggered Joshua and the Brit is forced to cover up.Big response from Usyk.
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 9 – HUGE round for AJ.
He had Usyk evidently hurt, rocking backwards and bleeding, but the champ stayed in there.
How much of that will have affected Joshua's gas tank, will his confidence build from it?
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
Round 9 – Usyk lands a sneaky left to start the round off, AJ almost walked into that one.
Three-punch combination lands for AJ, chopping hooks around Usyk's guard.
He comes forward, sensing he has Usyk hurt as the champ grabs on.
Usyk is reeling backwards, bleeding as well, this is AJ's biggest round in the fight, maybe his moment.
Credit: PA
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