ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK

For the second time in little more than two years, Anthony Joshua had his world titles ripped from his grasp. 

And this time they will not be so easily reclaimed, writes Dave Kidd.

Britain’s WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight champion was comprehensively out-boxed by the cunning Ukrainian southpaw Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua lost a unanimous and indisputable decision, as a crackling atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur’s magnificent stadium descended into near-silence, the judges’ verdicts met by not even a murmur of dissent.  

The chance of Joshua ever fighting fellow Brit Tyson Fury for the undisputed title – a contest which came close to fruition this summer – now looks extremely remote. 

Unlike pretty much every petrol station in London, Usyk simply refused to run out of gas, as Joshua failed to make his superior strength tell. 

Anthony Joshua has spoken out for the first time since defeat to Oleksnadr Usyk.

He tweeted: “Keep positive even if the world’s crumbling in front of you! London I love you & thank you each and every time

Eddie Hearn revealed heartbroken Anthony Joshua is already chomping at the bit to get training again.

Eddie Hearn: “It was a tough fight, a gruelling fight. He’s not quite talking the way you’d expect him to talk at the moment.

“He’s devastated, he’s already talking about getting back into training. They want to look at the eye socket, he says it’s fine.

Key words

 Oleksandr Usyk defeats Anthony Joshua

Britain’s WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight champion 

ANTHONY JOSHUA v OLEKSANDR USYK