Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk recently overcame the challenge presented by British boxer Anthony Joshua, outperforming his opponent over the course of 12-rounds to walk away with the win by way of a split decision. The scorecards, at the end of the clash, read&nbsp;113 to 115, 115 to 113 and 116 to 112 for the winner, Usyk.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/oleksandr-usyk-beats-anthony-joshua-by-split-decision-in-heavyweight-rematch-508792" hreflang="en">Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua by split decision in heavyweight rematch</a>

Until the month of March, Usyk&nbsp;was on the frontlines in Kyiv, defending his country against the Russian invasion. However, he hung his boots up for good&nbsp;to lace up the 10-oz gloves to make his way back to the squared circle to participate in a rematch against his former foe, Anthony Joshua. Their first fight took place in London last year, where Usyk managed to lay claim to AJ's&nbsp;WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts.

Although a disgruntled 'AJ' indulged in a series of rowdy behaviours shortly after the results of the fight were announced before storming out, he returned to the ring to offer due respect to the Ukrainian before posing with his national flag, taking a stand and displaying solidarity against Russia's assault.

In the aftermath of all the drama, Usyk moved to dedicate his win to the men and women in the Ukrainian&nbsp;military, who stayed back in the war-torn country to defend their nation against the Russian onslaught.&nbsp;"I did this victory for my country, for all people, militaries who are defending the country. Thank you very, very much."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/anthony-joshua-throws-away-belts-goes-on-wild-rant-in-epic-meltdown-after-loss-against-oleksandr-usyk-508817" hreflang="en">Anthony Joshua throws away belts, goes on wild rant in epic meltdown after loss against Oleksandr Usyk</a>

He subsequently trained his aim at the retired heavyweight kingpin Tyson Fury, declaring his intentions of locking horns with the Mancunian boxer inside the ring. He admitted that he won't be fighting anyone if he doesn't get the opportunity to go toe-to-toe against Fury.

Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk recently overcame the challenge presented by British boxer Anthony Joshua, outperforming his opponent over the course of 12-rounds to walk away with the win by way of a split decision.

Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk recently overcame the challenge presented by British boxer Anthony Joshua, outperforming his opponent over the course of 12-rounds to walk away with the win by way of a split decision. The scorecards, at the end of the clash, read 113 to 115, 115 to 113 and 116 to 112 for the winner, Usyk. ALSO READ: Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua by split decision in heavyweight rematch Until the month of March, Usyk was on the frontlines in Kyiv, defending his country against the Russian invasion. However, he hung his boots up for good to lace up the 10-oz gloves to make his way back to the squared circle to participate in a rematch against his former foe, Anthony Joshua. Their first fight took place in London last year, where Usyk managed to lay claim to AJ's WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts. Although a disgruntled 'AJ' indulged in a series of rowdy behaviours shortly after the results of the fight were announced before storming out, he returned to the ring to offer due respect to the Ukrainian before posing with his national flag, taking a stand and displaying solidarity against Russia's assault. In the aftermath of all the drama, Usyk moved to dedicate his win to the men and women in the Ukrainian military, who stayed back in the war-torn country to defend their nation against the Russian onslaught. "I did this victory for my country, for all people, militaries who are defending the country. Thank you very, very much." ALSO READ: Anthony Joshua throws away belts, goes on wild rant in epic meltdown after loss against Oleksandr Usyk He subsequently trained his aim at the retired heavyweight kingpin Tyson Fury, declaring his intentions of locking horns with the Mancunian boxer inside the ring. He admitted that he won't be fighting anyone if he doesn't get the opportunity to go toe-to-toe against Fury.

This victory is for my country: Oleksandr Usyk pays tribute to Ukrainian military after beating Anthony Joshua

Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk won his rematch against Anthony Joshua by split decision in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to set up a potential unification bout with Britain's Tyson Fury. The former cruiserweight world champion, who dismantled the holder in London last year, faced an improved Joshua but outboxed him once again in just his fourth heavyweight bout.

Usyk, now unbeaten at 20-0, immediately called out Fury, who announced his latest retirement earlier this month but has signalled his willingness to resume his career. Victory over the 6ft 9ins (2.06m) Fury would unite all four heavyweight belts and constitute a crowning glory for the sublime Ukrainian, a former outstanding amateur and Olympic heavyweight champion.

"I'm sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet," Usyk told the crowd. "I'm convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I'm not fighting Tyson Fury I'm not fighting at all."

The fight was watched on free-to-air TV by millions of Ukrainians living under the Russian invasion. Usyk signed up to fight for his country before accepting the rematch.

"I give this victory to my country, to my family, to my team and to all the military who are defending the country," he told the 12,000-seat King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah.

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An angered Joshua hurled down Usyk's belts and peppered his post-fight speech with expletives despite the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, de facto ruler of the deeply religious country.

"I just spoke from my heart. It has been so tough," Joshua said afterwards, adding: "It takes real strength and tonight there's a little crack in the armour."

The judges scored it 113-115, 115-113 and 116-112 for Usyk as Joshua narrowed the gap but was still found wanting.

"It was an incredible performance -- he's just too good," said Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn.

"You saw the reaction from AJ, that was from a human who wanted to win so badly, with so much pressure on his shoulders. I think he just exploded because he lost and he was devastated."

Joshua, the 6ft 6ins (1.98m) two-time world champion, is left staring at an impasse in his career after his third defeat in his 12th straight title fight left him with figures of 24-3-0. Joshua, accused of hesitancy in their first fight in London, was the early aggressor by round two as he repeatedly landed his big right hand.

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A heavy right hook stung Usyk in round three and Joshua was continuing to find the jab as the Ukrainian's busy footwork opened up gaps. A low blow from Joshua left Usyk wincing in the fifth and another backed him onto the ropes in the sixth but the tricky southpaw came firing back with some lightning combinations.

A flurry to the body put Usyk back on the ropes in the eighth and Joshua had the Ukrainian hanging on in the ninth after a right-left hook combination as the fight came alive. But Usyk came storming back after the bell with a succession of clean shots as Joshua took some serious punishment despite landing a massive right of his own.

The mesmerising Usyk increased his control in the closing stages, slipping punches and landing quick combinations as Joshua searched in vain for the knock-down. Earlier on the card, Somali-born Briton Ramla Ali knocked out the Dominican Republic's Crystal Garcia Nova in round one in the very first women's professional boxing match in Saudi Arabia.

Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk won his rematch against Anthony Joshua by split decision in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to set up a potential unification bout with Britain's Tyson Fury.

Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk won his rematch against Anthony Joshua by split decision in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to set up a potential unification bout with Britain's Tyson Fury. The former cruiserweight world champion, who dismantled the holder in London last year, faced an improved Joshua but outboxed him once again in just his fourth heavyweight bout. Usyk, now unbeaten at 20-0, immediately called out Fury, who announced his latest retirement earlier this month but has signalled his willingness to resume his career. Victory over the 6ft 9ins (2.06m) Fury would unite all four heavyweight belts and constitute a crowning glory for the sublime Ukrainian, a former outstanding amateur and Olympic heavyweight champion. "I'm sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet," Usyk told the crowd. "I'm convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I'm not fighting Tyson Fury I'm not fighting at all." The fight was watched on free-to-air TV by millions of Ukrainians living under the Russian invasion. Usyk signed up to fight for his country before accepting the rematch. "I give this victory to my country, to my family, to my team and to all the military who are defending the country," he told the 12,000-seat King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah. Also Read: 'I was fuming, raging': Raheem Sterling slams Man City for mistreatment after joining rivals Chelsea An angered Joshua hurled down Usyk's belts and peppered his post-fight speech with expletives despite the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, de facto ruler of the deeply religious country. "I just spoke from my heart. It has been so tough," Joshua said afterwards, adding: "It takes real strength and tonight there's a little crack in the armour." The judges scored it 113-115, 115-113 and 116-112 for Usyk as Joshua narrowed the gap but was still found wanting. "It was an incredible performance -- he's just too good," said Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn. "You saw the reaction from AJ, that was from a human who wanted to win so badly, with so much pressure on his shoulders. I think he just exploded because he lost and he was devastated." Joshua, the 6ft 6ins (1.98m) two-time world champion, is left staring at an impasse in his career after his third defeat in his 12th straight title fight left him with figures of 24-3-0. Joshua, accused of hesitancy in their first fight in London, was the early aggressor by round two as he repeatedly landed his big right hand. Also Read: Chelsea slap an indefinite ban on season ticket holder following abuses hurled at Son Heung-Min A heavy right hook stung Usyk in round three and Joshua was continuing to find the jab as the Ukrainian's busy footwork opened up gaps. A low blow from Joshua left Usyk wincing in the fifth and another backed him onto the ropes in the sixth but the tricky southpaw came firing back with some lightning combinations. A flurry to the body put Usyk back on the ropes in the eighth and Joshua had the Ukrainian hanging on in the ninth after a right-left hook combination as the fight came alive. But Usyk came storming back after the bell with a succession of clean shots as Joshua took some serious punishment despite landing a massive right of his own. The mesmerising Usyk increased his control in the closing stages, slipping punches and landing quick combinations as Joshua searched in vain for the knock-down. Earlier on the card, Somali-born Briton Ramla Ali knocked out the Dominican Republic's Crystal Garcia Nova in round one in the very first women's professional boxing match in Saudi Arabia.

Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua by split decision in heavyweight rematch

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This victory is for my country: Oleksandr Usyk pays tribute to Ukrainian military after beating Anthony Joshua

Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua by split decision in heavyweight rematch