Boxer Oleksandr Usyk retained his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight belts with a points victory over Britain’s Anthony Joshua on Saturday night in Jeddah.
Oleksandr Usyk, the victory of Ukraine
Usyk, who fought alongside Ukrainian soldiers at the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, also received a pre-match endorsement from President Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
Usyk also won a rematch with Joshua in Jeddah, being declared the winner by two out of three judges: 115-113, 116-112, 113-115.
The first fight took place in September 2021, when Oleksandr Usyk became the new “king” of super heavyweight, defeating on points the Englishman Anthony Joshua, who was the owner of the WBA, WBO and IBF belts. The judges’ decision was unanimous in favor of the 34-year-old boxer, 117-112, 116-112, 115-113.
Since then, Usyk has fought alongside Ukrainian soldiers, and then trained in Poland.
In a speech to the nation on Saturday night before the match, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “We support everyone who represents Ukraine, especially our boy Usyk,” according to News.ro.
At the end of the match, Usyk knelt down, crossed himself and looked at the sky. His opponent imitated his gesture and then they embraced.
The moment can be seen at 14:10
Video source: DAZN Boxing
Source: Hot News RO
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