IIt is no longer news that Anthony Joshua of Britain/Nigeria has for the second time been dethroned in unification bouts, this time by Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine on Saturday September 25, 2021.
But the interesting news at the moment is putting the bits and pieces together on how the diminutive Ukrainian did the magic against the giant looking British/Nigerian Joshua to become the new WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion.
The aphorism that hard work pays in every human endeavours came to pass; thus, while Usyk went on break for half-a-year, devoid of distraction of any sort, even without the family ostensibly for the kingly crown, Joshua was dreaming ahead of a flight with Tyson Fury – but life is, one step at a time.
After the fight at the over 65 thousand capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in England the Ukrainian said: “This means a lot to me. The fight went exactly the way I expected it to go.”
“There was times when Anthony pushed me hard but nothing special. I had no objective to knock him out. My corner pushed me not to do that.
“My trainer said no and to stick to my job. I’ve been working so hard since January. It took me some half a year. I miss my children. I want to go home,” he said.
Interestingly, a rematch between Usyk and Joshua is on the cards and if that takes place, there is a good chance of the former’s purse being higher but
the Ukrainian said:
I’m not thinking about the rematch. You didn’t see the best Usyk. I can be much better.”
After seeing the Ukrainian’s performance, ‘it won’t be unfair’ to call him the best heavyweight boxer in the world according to pundits.
Recalled the two fighters battled for 12 rounds and the Ukrainian came out on top with scores of 117-112, 116-112, and 115-11; Joshua did not win any round.
Usyk thus handed Joshua the second defeat of his career while maintaining his perfect record, winning 19 out of 19.
Big Money
Both fighters also earned large sums from the event with Total Sportal claiming that Joshua will pocket £10 million along with a share of the PPV sales which takes his purse to around £15 million.
Usyk is guaranteed to earn £3 million for the fight and could be paid another £1-2 million if PPV targets are met. This is his career-best purse till date.
The Ukrainian was dominant throughout and even admitted that he had to be talked out of knocking Joshua out.
A fight between Joshua and Fury seems farfetched now and there is probably more chance of the latter fighting Usyk for the heavyweight titles.
It won’t be surprising if The Gypsy King calls out The Cat after his fight against Deontay Wilder.
SOKOnnect
