The heavyweight boxing division has always been one of the most thrilling and captivating sectors of the sport. Among the biggest names in this division are Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua, two of the best fighters in the world today. Their showdown has been the subject of intense speculation, and boxing fans have been eagerly awaiting to see who will emerge victorious and claim the coveted heavyweight title.
In this article, we’ll delve into the Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua fight, breaking down their respective fighting styles, past performances, and the factors that could determine who will leave the ring with the championship belt. We’ll also look at what each fighter brings to the table, their strengths and weaknesses, and the road to the ultimate showdown.
Before analyzing the potential outcome of this fight, it’s important to take a closer look at both Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua’s boxing careers.
Oleksandr Usyk, hailing from Ukraine, is one of the most decorated boxers in recent history. He made his mark in the cruiserweight division, where he became the undisputed champion. His exceptional technique, speed, and ring IQ were evident in his performances, and his impressive skill set quickly garnered attention from fans and analysts alike.
Usyk’s move to the heavyweight division was highly anticipated, and he wasted no time in making an impact. His first major challenge at heavyweight came against the former world champion, Anthony Joshua, in 2021. Despite being the underdog in the eyes of many, Usyk delivered a masterclass performance, outboxing Joshua to claim the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.
Anthony Joshua, a former Olympic gold medalist, rose to prominence in the heavyweight division with his powerful punches, athleticism, and knockout ability. With a record filled with impressive victories over top-tier opponents, including Wladimir Klitschko, Andy Ruiz Jr., and Joseph Parker, Joshua became one of the biggest names in boxing.
Joshua’s journey to the top was marked by his relentless pursuit of the heavyweight championship, and he managed to secure multiple titles throughout his career. However, his first defeat at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 marked a turning point, and despite regaining the titles in their rematch, his loss to Usyk in 2021 left fans wondering whether Joshua could reclaim his place at the top of the heavyweight division.
The first encounter between Usyk and Joshua took place on September 25, 2021, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Usyk was stepping up from cruiserweight, while Joshua was defending his heavyweight titles. The fight was expected to be a clash of styles – Usyk’s technical, elusive style against Joshua’s powerful, aggressive approach.
From the outset, Usyk dominated the fight with his superior footwork, faster hands, and precise punches. Joshua, on the other hand, struggled to deal with Usyk’s movement and ability to land clean shots from different angles. Usyk’s constant lateral movement and ability to avoid Joshua’s power punches made it difficult for the British fighter to land any significant blows.
By the end of the 12-round battle, Usyk had done enough to earn a unanimous decision victory, claiming the heavyweight titles and stunning the boxing world. Usyk’s performance was lauded by analysts and fans, who praised his ability to move up in weight and still outclass one of the top fighters in the division.
The second fight between Joshua and Usyk took place with great expectations from boxing fans.
Anthony Joshua had prepared more carefully in terms of tactics, hoping to regain his championship belts. In this match, Joshua showed more determination and was cautious in every move.
Usyk maintained a stable performance, fighting accurately and tactically, even though Joshua had situations where he often used strong punches.
Both boxers had fierce exchanges, but Usyk still maintained superiority in technique and durability.
Result: Usyk won by unanimous decision of the judges with scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 113-115. Usyk continued to hold his championship belts, and Joshua could not win
