The King Has Lost His Crown! Anthony Joshua Loses By Unanimous Decision

Anthony Joshua  has suffered the second defeat of his career as he was outclassed by Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and lost by unanimous decision.

Anthony Joshua lost his heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Britain’s unified WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world champion was comprehensively beaten and dethroned by unanimous decision.

The defeat – the second of Joshua’s career – leaves the prospect of an all-British undisputed showdown with Tyson Fury in tatters.

It was a stunning performance from Usyk, 34, as the Ukrainian became only the third boxer – after Evander Holyfield and David Haye – to win world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.

The fight began with a tentative opening round in which two straight left hands from Usyk were the main punches of note.

Both men looked to be engaging in a technical start as they sized one another up.

Joshua – three years his opponent’s junior – targeted the body well in the second, but was troubled by Usyk’s movement as he constantly switched angles to make life difficult before responding with his own jabs.

Usyk countered AJ with two clean shots at the start of round three and began to land with consistency.

The Brit appeared seriously troubled by the Ukrainian’s movement and speed in the early stages.

Towards the end of the third, Usyk found a home for a strong left hand which momentarily staggered Joshua.

The former cruiserweight king put in a lot of early body work, which AJ attempted to respond to in the fourth.

In round five, the champion began to open up with his right hand and was more aggressive, finding consistent success for the first time in the fight.

As they reached the halfway point, the challenger appeared to be beginning to slow and was forced to eat a couple of solid heavyweight power punches.

Round seven was particularly fascinating as both men had success and Usyk again staggered Joshua.

With five to go, Usyk was in command but the fight still remained in the balance.

AJ smashed home a series of body shots in the eighth, and appeared to briefly hurt his opponent to the mid section.

Round nine was another tentative session in which Usyk appeared to land more consistently.

Joshua tried to respond in round ten and cut Usyk over his right eye.

This appeared to spur the Brit on as he hammered home two notable straight rights, though his own right eye was badly swollen.

Usyk started the eleventh at fast speed and showed impressive accuracy as he cemented his commanding lead before the final round.

In the last three minutes, AJ could do no more to break Usyk down and the former cruiserweight king realised his ambition of heavyweight glory.

The three judges scored it as a unanimous decision 117-112, 116-112, 115-113.

Joshua, whose right eye was heavily swollen, made a swift exit from the ring.

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed there is a rematch clause and expects Joshua to take it up.

“It was a tough defeat. He got beat by the better man on the night,” conceded Hearn.

“It’s going to be difficult because Usyk’s confidence will be sky high. He [Joshua] will want to go straight back into the rematch.

“The desire is still there. He can do so much better in that fight.”

British boxing fans will hope he can indeed find something special, or the chances of Joshua vs Fury ever happening will decrease even more.