Oleksandr Usyk bests Anthony Joshua by split decision in dramatic rematch

In dramatic rematch Oleksandr Usyk defeats Anthony Joshua:

Oleksandr Usyk stormed through his rematch fight against Anthony Joshua in Jeddah on Saturday to retain his heavyweight titles by a split decision.

The 35-year-old Ukrainian proved unbeatable during the 12-round contest, maintaining his steely nerve to dominate Joshua with a series of heavy blows. Joshua appeared to break Usyk's momentum in the ninth round and landed a spell of punches on his opponent, before retreating into defeat.

One judge scored the bout for Joshua, 115-113, but was overruled by tallies of 115-113 and 116-112 in favor of Usyk, who defeated Joshua for a second time.

Joshua, who entered the ring as champion when the two met in September in London, fared far better in the return bout under the guidance of new trainer Robert Garcia, but it still wasn't enough.

After the decision was announced, Joshua (24-3, 20 KOs) grabbed the microphone and urged the crowd to cheer on Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) with "Hip-Hip Hooray!"

"This guy here is a phenomenal talent," Joshua said.