:Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua II
{{Short description|Boxing match}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox boxing match
| Fight Name = Rage on the Red Sea
| image = 250px
| caption =
| fight date = 20 August 2022
| location = King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| titles = WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and vacant The Ring heavyweight titles
| fighter1 = Oleksandr Usyk
| nickname1 = "The Cat"
| hometown1 = Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine
| purse1 =
| record1 = 19–0 (13 KO)
| age1 = {{age in years and months |1987|1|17 |2022|8|20}}
| height1 = 6 ft 3 in
| weight1 = 221+1/2 lb
| style1 = Southpaw
| recognition1 = WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO
Heavyweight Champion
The Ring No. 2 ranked pound-for-pound fighter
The Ring
| fighter2 = Anthony Joshua
| nickname2 = "AJ"
| hometown2 = Watford, Hertfordshire, England
| purse2 =
| record2 = 24–2 (22 KO)
| age2 = {{age in years and months |1989|10|15 |2022|8|20}}
| height2 = 6 ft 6 in
| weight2 = 244+1/2 lb
| style2 = Orthodox
| recognition2 = IBF
No. 3 Ranked Heavyweight
WBA/WBO
No. 4 Ranked Heavyweight
The Ring
| result = Usyk wins via 12–round split decision (113–115, 115–113, 116–112)
}}
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua II, billed as Rage on the Red Sea, was a heavyweight professional boxing match between WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, and former heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua. The bout took place on 20 August 2022 at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.{{Cite news |title=Joshua v Usyk rematch announced for August |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/61578006 |access-date=2022-06-19}} Usyk won the 12-round bout by split decision, with scores of 116–112 and 115–113 in his favour, and 115–113 in favour of Joshua.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/21/oleksandr-usyk-beats-anthony-joshua-by-split-decision-to-retain-world-titles |title=Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua by split decision to retain world titles |first=Sachin|last= Nakrani|work=The Guardian |date=21 August 2022 }}
Background
On 25 September 2021 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Anthony Joshua first faced Oleksandr Usyk, his WBO mandatory challenger, in a defence of his unified world heavyweight titles. Despite entering the bout as the reigning champion and the pre-fight betting favourite,{{Cite web |last=Katzowitz |first=Josh |title=Anthony Joshua Vs. Oleksandr Usyk Odds, Records, Prediction (Updated With Betting Results) |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshkatzowitz/2021/09/24/anthony-joshua-vs-oleksandr-usyk-odds-records-prediction/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Joshua was outboxed over the twelve-round distance as he suffered the second defeat of his professional career, losing via unanimous decision with judges' scorecards of 117–112, 116–112 and 115–113 all in Usyk's favour. The result meant that Usyk became only the second boxer ever, after Evander Holyfield, to win unified world titles in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-26 |title=Anthony Joshua loses to Oleksandr Usyk who puts in magnificent performance to become champion |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/951347/anthony-joshua-result-aj-loses-oleksandr-usyk/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-US}}
Four days after the fight, on 29 September, it was announced by Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk that a one-sided rematch clause which had been specified in the fight contract had "already been activated in principle, from the side of Joshua." Krassyuk noted that Usyk relished the prospect of squaring off against Joshua twice: "So I remember when we discussed with Oleksandr the issue of rematch, he was delighted and said 'Wow, cool, I will beat Anthony [
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, a potential Usyk–Joshua rematch was thrown into doubt. In the days following the start of the invasion, Usyk posted on his social media channels to confirm that he had returned to Ukraine, and to plead with Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the invasion, with one video captioned "No War".{{Cite web |date=2022-02-26 |title=Oleksandr Usyk returns to Ukraine amid Russia invasion and posts 'No War' message |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1051019/oleksandr-usyk-ukraine-vladimir-putin-russia-war/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-US}} On 2 March, Usyk confirmed in a video interview with American news network CNN that he had taken up arms and joined a territorial defence battalion in Ukraine. Regarding his professional boxing career, Usyk said, "I really don't know when I'm going to be stepping back in the ring. My country and my honour are more important to me than a championship belt."{{Cite web |author=Exclusive: By Don Riddell |title='My soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honor to my country,' says heavyweight champion after joining Ukrainian defense battalion |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/02/sport/oleksandr-usyk-ukraine-russia-invasion-boxing-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=CNN|date=2 March 2022 }} In late March, it was reported that Usyk would be leaving Ukraine to begin preparations for the rematch with Joshua.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-25 |title=Oleksandr Usyk leaving Ukraine to train for Anthony Joshua rematch |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/boxing/joshua-usyk-fight-rematch-instagram-b2021585.html |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=The Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-29 |title=Usyk leaves Ukraine, preparing for rematch with Joshua |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-sports-europe-boxing-london-0815f79e8ad4fdacc8e0700e242d1d38 |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=AP News |language=en}} Usyk revealed his decision to leave his homeland and refocus his efforts on boxing was supported by Mayor of Kyiv and former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, as well as his younger brother Wladimir Klitschko, also a former heavyweight champion who had been defeated by Anthony Joshua in 2017.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-06 |title=Oleksandr Usyk gives first interview since leaving Ukraine to train for Anthony Joshua |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1080836/oleksandr-usyk-ukraine-anthony-joshua-rematch-klitschko/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-US}}
On 19 June 2022, it was officially announced that Usyk would be facing Joshua in a rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 20 August. The country put up a purse of roughly $77 million for the fighters to split through its sovereign wealth fund, Public Investment Fund.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/21/sports/usyk-joshua-heavyweight-fury-ukraine.html |title=Usyk's Heavyweight Win Sets Up Fury Showdown or More Boxing Messiness |work=New York Times |date=21 August 2022 |first=Morgan |last=Campbell }} The fight would mark the first defence of Usyk's world heavyweight titles, while it would be Joshua's twelfth consecutive world heavyweight title fight as he attempted to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-19 |title=Confirmed: Usyk vs AJ 2 is on, date and location announced |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1116845/oleksandr-usyk-anthony-joshua-rematch-boxing-date-location-confirmed/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-US}} Following Tyson Fury's decision to vacate The Ring heavyweight title on 13 August, it was announced that the now-vacant title would also be on the line, in addition to Usyk's world titles.{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Tom |date=2022-08-13 |title=Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua will vie for Ring heavyweight championship |url=https://www.ringtv.com/642848-oleksandr-usyk-and-anthony-joshua-will-vie-for-ring-heavyweight-championship/ |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=The Ring}}
Fight results
Despite Joshua's improved performance compared to his first loss to Usyk,{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12040/12679239/usyk-vs-aj-official-scorecard-shows-anthony-joshua-was-winning-fight-against-oleksandr-usyk-after-nine-rounds |title=Usyk vs AJ: Official scorecard shows Anthony Joshua was winning fight against Oleksandr Usyk after nine rounds |work=Sky Sports |date=23 August 2022 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.ringtv.com/643399-oleksandr-usyk-defeats-anthony-joshua-again-following-excellent-fight/ |work=The Ring |title=Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Anthony Joshua Again Following Excellent Fight |date=20 August 2022 |first=Tris |last=Dixon }} the latter successfully defended his belts.{{fact|date=January 2025}}
According to New York Times statistics, Joshua landed 37 body punches compared to 15 in their first fight. Overall, however, Usyk outperformed Joshua, landing 170 of 712 punches, compared with 124 of 492 for Joshua. Usyk also established new records for punches landed by an Anthony Joshua opponent (170) and most punches landed on Joshua in a single round (39 punches in the 10th round).{{cite news |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/oleksandr-usyk-vs-anthony-joshua-rematch-compubox-punch-stats--168509 |title=Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua Rematch: CompuBox Punch Stats |work=Boxing Scene |date=21 August 2022 }}
= Scoring card by judges =
- Glenn Feldman (white): 115–113 for Joshua
- Viktor Fesechko (blue): 116–112 for Usyk
- Steve Gray (red): 115–113 for Usyk
The split decision was controversial and surprised the majority of viewers, who had expected a unanimous verdict for Usyk.{{cite news |url=https://boxing-social.com/news/usyk-joshua-scorecards-shocking-scoring/ |title=Official Usyk-Joshua Scorecards Reveal Just How Shocking The Scoring Was |work=Boxing Social |first=Elliot |last=Foster |date=23 August 2022 }} The Ring magazine called Glenn Feldman's scorecard "horrible". Among those criticizing his judging were promoter Lou DiBella and boxing trainer Teddy Atlas.{{cite news |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1176226/watch-judge-glenn-feldman-scored-rematch-oleksandr-usyk-anthony-joshua-confronted/ |title=Judge Glenn Feldman confronted for controversial scorecard where he had Anthony Joshua ahead of Oleksandr Usyk in heavyweight rematch |work=Talksport |first=Cameron |last=Temple |date=23 August 2022 }} The event sanctioned by the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission (MEPB){{Cite web |date=2024-12-21 |title=Sources: Usyk asks to have Fury's beard trimmed |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/43090081/sources-oleksandr-usyk-team-asks-tyson-fury-beard-trimmed |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-15 |title=Who Will Sanction Fury vs. Usyk ? |url=https://www.fightsports.tv/who-will-sanction-fury-vs-usyk/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=FIGHT SPORTS |language=en-US}}
The fight was well received. The Ring called it "excellent", The Sporting News called it "thrilling",{{cite news |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/boxing/news/oleksandr-usyk-vs-anthony-joshua-2-live-fight-updates-results-highlights/yndrtp5p2sl20fywywgpjsus |title=Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 results: Usyk dominates championship rounds to retain heavyweight titles |first=Dom |last=Farrell |work=Sporting News |date=20 August 2022 }} Sky Sports called it "spectacular".{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/12687880/oleksandr-usyk-tyson-fury-wants-to-fight-me-in-undisputed-heavyweight-clash-gypsy-king-vows-to-destroy-middleweight |title=Oleksandr Usyk: Tyson Fury wants to fight me in undisputed heavyweight clash |work=Sky Sports |date=2 September 2022 }}
Aftermath
Immediately after the fight, Joshua threw the title belts out of the ring and started to walk out of the arena, but came back and once in control of the microphone gave an emotional speech, talking about his life, fighting, Ukraine, and praising Usyk. After Joshua was done, Usyk said he wanted to fight Tyson Fury or, otherwise, he might not box again.{{cite news |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news/watch-anthony-joshua-throw-belts-out-of-ring-and-praise-oleksandr-usyk-in-bizarre-post-fight-speech-in-saudi-arabia/203044 |title=Watch Anthony Joshua throw belts out of ring and praise Oleksandr Usyk in bizarre post-fight speech in Saudi Arabia |work=Sporting Life |date=21 August 2022 |first=Chris |last=Hammer }} He also dedicated his win to his country "Ukraine, Armed Forces of Ukraine" and everyone who was defending his country.{{cite news |url=https://espreso.tv/usik-prisvyativ-peremogu-zsu-ta-vsiy-ukraini |title=Після перемоги над британцем Ентоні Джошуа українець Олександр Усик заявив, що присвячує свій тріумф ЗСУ та всій Україні |work=Еспресо |language=Ukrainian |date=21 August 2022 |quote="Я присвячую цей бій моїй Державі — Україні, Збройним Силам Україні та усім, хто зараз боронить мою країну" }}
In the post-fight press conference, Joshua broke down in tears.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/21/anthony-joshua-boxing-reaction-oleksandr-usyk |title=Anthony Joshua's tears and tirade show the burden of boxing's spotlight |work=The Guardian |first=Sachin |last=Nakrani |date=21 August 2022 }}
In early September 2022, details of the potential undisputed title fight with Fury started to surface. Usyk stated that Fury was not retired and was interested in the match. Fury's co-promoter, Bob Arum, stated that 17 December 2022, was discussed as the potential date of the fight. However, Usyk countered that the fight was unlikely to be held in 2022 due to his "old traumas which have resurfaced".{{cite news |url=https://boxing-social.com/news/tyson-fury-poses-with-man-beat-usyk/ |title=Tyson Fury Poses With The Man Who Beat Usyk: "Imagine What I'm Going To Do!" |first=Elliot |last=Foster |date=3 September 2022 |work=Boxing Social }}{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/34516153/oleksandr-usyk-defends-anthony-joshua-controversial-postfight-reaction?platform=amp |title=Oleksandr Usyk defends Anthony Joshua over controversial postfight reaction |work=ESPN |date=3 September 2022 }}
Fight card
| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 85%;"
! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |Weight Class ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" | ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |vs ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" | ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |Method ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |Round ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |Time ! style="background:#e6e8fa; color:#000; text-align:center;" |Notes |
| Heavyweight
|Oleksandr Usyk (c) |def |SD |12/12 | |{{ref|Usyk vs. Joshua|Note 1}} |
| Heavyweight
|def |UD |12/12 | |{{ref|Filip Hrgovic vs. Zhilei Zhang|Note 2}} |
| Light-heavyweight
|def |TKO |4/12 | |{{ref|Callum Smith Vs. Mathieu Bauderlique|Note 3}} |
| Cruiserweight
|def |Richard Rivera |SD |10/10 | | |
| Heavyweight
|def |James Wilson |{{Abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}} |5/8 | | |
| Super-bantamweight
|def |Crystal Garcia Nova |TKO |1/8 | | |
| Light-heavyweight
|def |Jozef Jurko |UD |8/8 | | |
| Super-middleweight
|def |Petar Nosić |{{Abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}} |6/6 | | |
| Lightweight
|def |Fuad Tarverdi |TKO |4 (4) |1:16 | |
| Light-welterweight
|Ziyad Almaayouf |def |Jose Alatorre |{{Abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}} |1 (4) | 2:55 | |
| Welterweight
|Traycho Georgiev |def |Money Kicks |{{Abbr|SD|Split decision}} |4/4 | |{{ref|Money Kicks Vs. Traycho Georgiev|Note 4 |
|}
{{note|Usyk vs. Joshua|Note 1|For WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and vacant The Ring heavyweight titles}}
{{note|Filip Hrgovic vs. Zhilei Zhang|Note 2|Final eliminator for IBF heavyweight title}}
{{note|Callum Smith Vs. Mathieu Bauderlique|Note 3|Final eliminator for WBC light heavyweight title}}
{{note|Money Kicks Vs. Traycho Georgiev|Note 4|Money Kicks' professional debut}}
Broadcasting
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Country ! colspan="4" |Broadcaster |
| Free-to-air
!Cable/Pay TV !Stream !PPV |
|---|
| Ukraine
|Suspilne | {{n/a}} |
| United Kingdom
| Sky Sports Boxing YouTube (undercard) | Sky Sports Action | {{n/a}} |Sky Sports Box Office {{Cite web |date=2022-07-07 |title= Sky Sports Box Office Wins Bid to Show Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua Rematch |url=https://www.ringtv.com/641383-sky-sports-box-office-wins-bid-to-show-oleksandr-usyk-anthony-joshua-rematch/ |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=The Ring |language=en-US}} |
| Worldwide
| colspan="2" {{n/a}} |DAZN |{{n/a}} |
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef | rows=2 |before=First fight}}
{{s-ttl | title=Oleksandr Usyk's bouts |years= 20 August 2022}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Daniel Dubois}}
{{s-ttl | title=Anthony Joshua's bouts |years= 20 August 2022}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Jermaine Franklin}}
{{s-end}}
{{Oleksandr Usyk}}
{{Anthony Joshua}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Usyk, Joshua II}}
Category:2022 in Saudi Arabian sport
Category:August 2022 sports events in Asia
Category:Boxing matches in Saudi Arabia
Category:Boxing matches promoted by Matchroom Sport
Category:International Boxing Federation heavyweight championship matches
Category:International Boxing Organization heavyweight championship matches
Category:World Boxing Association heavyweight championship matches
Category:World Boxing Organization heavyweight championship matches