The first 8 rounds saw AJ utilise an uncharacteristically calculated style to make Usyk think twice about getting too comfortable, with Usyk using his superior timing and ring generalship to score consistently on the Brit. Joshua maintained his presence in the ring, keeping Usyk cautious about letting his hands go into the 9th round. Whereas Joshua’s size and power seemed as though they would bring the belts back to the UK by the end of the 10th. Usyk, boxing like a 200lb lightweight for the remainder of the fight, maintained a pace and technicality Joshua simply couldn’t provide an answer for.
Marring his career-best performance, Joshua had a bizarre, narcissistic outburst which saw him throw two of the belts out of the ring and take the champion’s spotlight. He was ranting about how hard he has struggled personally, effectively silencing the champion’s message to the world regarding the struggles in his home country.
This rivalry settled, a unification fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1) seems a dead cert. Bigger and heavier than Joshua but with light feet and Einstein levels of ring IQ. We will likely see a British undisputed heavyweight champion of the world before the year is out.