Shevchenko shuts out Grasso to recapture title

Ukrainian southpaw dethrones Italian in rematch with dominant display

In a highly-anticipated rematch, former two-weight world champion Oleksandr Usyk outclassed Anthony Joshua over 12 rounds in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to reclaim his unified heavyweight titles.

Usyk's masterful performance

Usyk, a southpaw from Ukraine, showcased his exceptional boxing skills throughout the bout. He used his superior footwork and hand speed to keep Joshua at bay, landing clean shots while avoiding the Briton's power punches.

Usyk's jab was particularly effective, as he repeatedly found the target with sharp, accurate punches that kept Joshua off balance. He also utilized effective combinations, mixing up his punches to keep Joshua guessing.

Joshua's struggles

Joshua, the former champion, struggled to find his rhythm and impose his size advantage. He was often caught on the back foot, unable to close the distance and unleash his trademark power.

Joshua's frustration grew as the rounds progressed, and he began to resort to desperate measures, including attempting to bully Usyk in the clinch. However, Usyk remained composed and outboxed Joshua with ease.

The judges' verdict

After 12 competitive rounds, the judges unanimously declared Usyk the winner by scores of 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113. The decision was met with cheers from the crowd, who had witnessed a masterclass in boxing from the Ukrainian.

What's next for Usyk and Joshua?

With this victory, Usyk has once again established himself as one of the pound-for-pound best boxers in the world. He has expressed his desire to unify the heavyweight division, and a potential bout against WBC champion Tyson Fury is now on the cards.

For Joshua, this defeat is a major setback in his career. He will need to regroup and reassess his options. A rematch with Usyk is a possibility, but Joshua may also consider other challengers in the heavyweight division.