Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk has again defeated former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua, this time by split decision.
His victory sets up a potential unification bout with Britain’s Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The former cruiserweight world champion, who defeated British Nigerian Joshua in London last year, faced an improved Joshua but outboxed him once again in just his fourth heavyweight bout, France 24 reports.
Usyk is now unbeaten at 20-0. The Ukrainian immediately called out Fury, who announced his latest retirement earlier after defeating Deontey Wilder but has signaled his willingness to resume his career.
If Usyk defeats Fury, he would unite all four heavyweight belts which would constitute a crowning glory for the Ukrainian, a former outstanding amateur and Olympic heavyweight champion.
“I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet,” Usyk told the crowd. “I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”
The fight was watched on free-to-air TV by millions of Ukrainians living under the Russian invasion. Usyk signed up to fight for his country before accepting the rematch.
“I give this victory to my country, to my family, to my team and to all the military who are defending the country,” he told the 12,000-seat King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah.”