Oleksandr Usyk Retains His Heavyweight Belts Via Split Decision

The Ukrainian boxer defeated Anthony Joshua to retain his three heavyweight titles.

In a rematch between the two boxers, Oleksandr Usyk was victorious again, defeating Anthony Joshua in a split decision in Saudia Arabia on Saturday to retain his three heavyweight belts. 

While the second fight—originally scored 115-113 before being overruled with tallies of 115-113 and 116-112 for Usyk—between the two was closer, the undefeated Usyk found a way to outlast Joshua. Usyk’s win and return to the boxing ring comes after he joined the front lines for Ukraine’s military when the country was invaded by Russia.

Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) entered the fight with the better odds (-188) to win against Joshua (+170), according to SI Sportsbook. In addition to retaining his three heavyweight belts, due to the retirement of Tyson Fury, Saturday's fight came with the addition of the Ring heavyweight title. 

Mannix: Anthony Joshua’s Relevancy Is on the Ropes

Usyk and Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) previously fought in September 2021 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London in which the bout ended in an unanimous decision. Although Joshua still suffered the defeat in Saturday's bout, he fared better than he did in the initial fight mainly due to guidance from his new trainer, Robert Garcia.