Daniel Dubois added to his growing credentials with a dominant stoppage win over Anthony Joshua on Saturday September 21st. It was a pay-per-view event with 90,000 people in attendance with Dubois emerging as the man of the hour.
On the other side of the coin, Joshua lost for the third time in his last seven fights and is 6-4 over his last 10. Here’s a look at where Anthony Joshua stands at this point in his career.
Oleksandr Usyk boxed his way to a lead and then punished Anthony Joshua late to take a clear decision victory on Saturday night, earning a collection of heavyweight championship belts. Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) overcame Joshua’s considerable height and reach advantages and handed the popular British fighter his second loss in front of over 60,000 partisan fans at Tottenham Hostspur Stadium.
Official scores were 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113, all for Usyk. InTheCorner.net had it 115-113 for Usyk.
From the opening bell, the Ukranian showed high-energy movement and punching, seemingly confusing Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) who looked like he was trying to swat a fly. But Usyk was landing from time to time whereas Joshua was trying without success to find an opening. Ukyk had the slight edge in a tactical round one and a clear edge in round two.
The straight left found the mark a few times in round three for Usyk and then, near the end of the round, he wobbled Joshua. 3-0 Usyk going to the fourth round.
Joshua came out for round four with a better plan, moving forward and trying to get off first. It was another close round but Joshua had the edge as he finally appeared to be the bigger, more dangerous man. Usyk was not deterred but his attack wasn’t as effective as he was still on the move, but now going backwards a lot.
There's been a shift, not entirely in Joshua's favor, but its 2 way action now. I give that one to Joshua but it was close. 3-2 Usyk #JoshuaUsyk
— InTheCornerNet (@InTheCornerNet) September 25, 2021
Two-way action in round five continued this pattern and in round six, AJ landed his best best shot of the fight, a straight right hand that caught Usyk flush on the face.
The next several rounds were back-and-forth. Usyk started to get his second wind and Joshua continued to press his own attack, having adjusted to the problem that he had in front of him. After 10 rounds, the fight was close, Usyk was cut over his right eye and Joshua had swelling under his right eye.
The championship rounds were where Usyk really shined. His relentless attack may have gassed Joshua and the Ukranian was energetic, peppering AJ with shots and landing cleanly on a consistent basis in round 11.
The 11th was a clean usyk rd this is a close ass fight
— Jrock (@Jrockboxing) September 25, 2021
The final round turned out to be the crowning glory for Usyk, who left nothing to chance. He attacked from the opening bell and had the upper hand throughout. In the waning seconds of the fight he had Joshua in the most trouble he had been in all night, staggered against the ropes and taking clean shots. The bell prevented a knockdown or worse.
Oleksandr Usyk had his coming out party on Saturday night in a big way with a clear victory over a respected champion. Joshua is now faced with questions and, having been in this spot once already after losing to Andy Ruiz, the detractors are all in with the anti-AJ sentiment. Fair enough. Joshua’s been outworked twice when not everyone expected it. This loss to Usyk isn’t in the same category as the shocking beating he took from Ruiz, but it’s enough to question greatness.
Usyk, on the other hand, is the man of the hour. Outsized, in hostile territory, moving up from cruiserweight to take on a 240-lb champion, Usyk blew through every challenge and took home four titles.
DAZN broadcast the eye-popping spectacle and, as with many of their fight cards, it took place in the middle of the day in the States being that it originated from England. Despite this, DAZN continues to be money well spent. A fight of this magnitude dictates that a true boxing fan makes the fight a priority and watches it live or makes an effort to avoid hearing the decision before viewing the fight on demand later. Of course, the second option is an inconvenience. But the multi-belt heavyweight championship of the world, contested by fighters as significant as AJ and Usyk, should take priority over any early season college football game for a fan who has the commitment to pay the yearly fee. If you’re going to pay $100 for a year’s worth of fights, whenever they happen to be scheduled, this one was the one to plan your Saturday around.
UCN