Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua via unanimous decision to win IBF, WBA, and WBO belts

Anthony Joshua suffers unanimous points defeat by Oleksandr Usyk to lose IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles.

Anthony Joshua’s reign as the World Heavyweight Champion was brought to an end by Oleksandr Usyk via unanimous decision in London at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Joshua has officially faced his second defeat in his boxing career to lose his reign as IBF, WBA, and WBO champion. Usyk is now crowned as the new unified World Heavyweight Champion as the judges scored the contest 117-112, 116-112, 116-113 in favor of Oleksandr “The Cat” Usyk. 

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Joshua had suffered his first career defeat in 2019 when Andy Ruiz pulled off a huge upset in the sport. He went on to claim redemption to beat and win back the titles he lost to Ruiz in a championship rematch. Joshua’s record now stands at 24 wins with 22 by KO and 2 losses after his defeat to Usyk. Usyk continues his winning streak to maintain his clean record of 19 wins and no losses. The defeat for Joshua will now devastate the hopes for an undisputed title fight against fellow countryman Tyson Fury who is set to face Deontay Wilder on the 9th of October. 

Although Joshua stood brave and fought hard till the end, the night belonged to Usyk who conquered the cruiserweight division and now the heavyweight division as well to become only the third boxer to win world titles in both the weight classes after David Haye and Evander Holyfield. Usyk won every possible belt in the cruiserweight championship to be crowned the undisputed champion. The WBC belt which is currently held by Tyson Fury is the only belt left for Usyk to claim in order to be crowned as the undisputed heavyweight champion.