Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk retained the WBA, Ibf and Wbo world heavyweight titles by beating Briton Anthony Joshua on points in 12 rounds, with a non-unanimous verdict (113-115, 115-113, 116-112) in the Superdome ring Usyk had also prevailed in the first match between the two, in which he had snatched the titles from his rival, a year ago in London.
The London 2012 Ukrainian Olympian, tonight in the ring wearing shorts in the colors of his country, held a flag of Ukraine on the square with Joshua before reading the verdict.
After the verdict that he was again the loser, the Brit took a microphone to remind those present (some of whom had paid $ 5100 for a ringside ticket) of the drama of Ukraine, inviting them to applaud Usyk, "because this evening he won boxing ".
"My world is Jesus Christ, peace, this victory is for all the people of my country - said an excited Usyk -, and for all the soldiers who are defending it right now".
Among them, until March, he too was enrolled in a territorial militia shortly after the invasion of Ukraine by the Russians.
"Now only God knows what I'm going to do," Usk concluded.
