Joshua vs Usyk 2 LIVE! Boxing result, fight stream, latest news, updates and reaction as Usyk retains titles

Joshua vs Usyk 2 LIVE!

Anthony Joshua‘s boxing future is uncertain after he was bested once again by Oleksandr Usyk in Saturday night’s high-profile rematch. Joshua gave an improved display for the most part in what was the biggest fight of his career to date following a comprehensive loss at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 11 months ago, but the ultra-talented southpaw Usyk ultimately proved just too good once again on the night in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, picking up a split-decision victory to stay unbeaten and retain the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO belts, also picking up The Ring title.

Passions spilled over after Joshua, denied a third championship reign, threw down two of Usyk’s belts and grabbed the microphone for a bizarre rant after the judges scores were read out, with the Ukrainian then stating his belief that Tyson Fury can be coaxed out of retirement for a mammoth money-spinning showdown to crown the first undisputed champion of boxing’s blue-riband division since Lennox Lewis.

The ‘Rage on the Red Sea’ had an entertaining undercard, including victory in a final IBF heavyweight title eliminator for Filip Hrgovic. Callum Smith also earned a shot at Artur Beterbiev’s WBC light-heavyweight belt, while Badou Jack controversially won a split decision. Ramla Ali produced an emphatic first-round knockout in the first professional women’s fight to be held in Saudi Arabia after Britain’s Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker picked up his second professional win.

Boxing schedule and results

Oleksandr Usyk bt Anthony Joshua

Filip Hrgovic bt Zhilei Zhang

Bader Al Samreen bt Fuad Tarverdi

Callum Smith bt Mathieu Bauderlique

Badou Jack bt Richard Rivera

Ziyad Almaayouf bt Jose Alatorre

Ramla Ali bt Crystal Garcia Nova

Andrew Tabiti bt James Wilson

Ben Whittaker bt Petar Nosic

Daniel Lapin bt Jozef Jurko

Traycho Georgiev bt Rashed ‘Money Kicks’ Belhasa

Follow Joshua vs Usyk 2 reaction LIVE with Standard Sport’s blog below!

Joshua vs Usyk 2 latest news

• Usyk beats Joshua by split decision in heavyweight title rematch

• Joshua throws down belts and grabs microphone as passions spill over

• Usyk dedicates win to Ukraine and calls out Tyson Fury for undisputed clash

• Hrgovic outpoints Zhang in IBF heavyweight eliminator

• Joshua in angry backstage confrontation with bystander

• Judges official scorecards revealed

Recap the fight

15:43 , Marc Mayo

Anthony Joshua gave an improved, determined performance in Saturday’s colossal rematch as he attempted to join an exclusive club of three-time world champions following a meek loss at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 11 months ago.

But ultimately he just could not find the solution to dethrone supreme southpaw Oleksandr Usyk.

Read our full fight report from a big night in Jeddah!

11:01 , Alex Young

Tyson Fury has vowed to come out of retirement to fight Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed heavyweight title fight in a now-deleted Instagram post.

Having beaten Anthony Joshua for a second time inside a year to retain his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts, Usyk made clear he only had eyes for WBC champion Fury.

Fury in April announced his retirement, only to weeks later declare an interest in fighting Joshua. Usyk told the crowd on Saturday night: "I'm sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet.

"I am convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. And if I'm not fighting Tyson Fury, I'm not fighting at all."

Read more here!

Lennox calls for Usyk and Fury fight

09:41 , Alex Young

Lennox Lewis says boxing fans deserve to see Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury fight.

Lewis was the last undisputed heavyweight champion, and he hung up his gloves in 2003.

Official scorecards

09:33 , Alex Young

Some eyebrows were raised when Anthony Joshua was awarded the fight by one of the judges.

Here's the full breakdown.

Backstage drama

09:25 , Alex Young

Anthony Joshua had to be held back by security after reacting to a comment while heading back to his dressing room after losing to Oleksandr Usyk for a second time.

A courageous performance from Joshua in the rematch was in vain as the Ukrainian remained unbeaten to return his IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles with a split decision win.

Joshua is shown to be all smiles after the fight, despite an impromptu, and bizarre, post-fight speech which suggested otherwise, but the moody quickly turned following a comment from a bystander.

The unnamed man, who it has been claimed by some to be a boxing referee, said: "Way to keep it professional."

Read more here!

Joshua ‘should have been stopped'

08:48 , Alex Young

Frazer Clarke says Anthony Joshua's post-fight outburst was "out of character" for him

He told Sky Sports: "As a gym friend and a friend in general, for anyone offended in general by what happened, I think I can apologise on his behalf for the outburst.

"His team might be mad at me for saying this, but I feel he was hung out to dry there. Somebody should have saved him from himself.

"It's words, but in the true reflection of boxing, that was Usyk's time to celebrate that victory, and he didn't get to do it straight away, and I don't think that was right.

"Anthony is a great person and has done a lot for a lot of people, a lot for me, but I feel like he had a bit of a bad one there, and it was out of character."

He added: "Someone should have jumped in there. Someone should have stopped him and saved him from himself. It was only words, but it was the wrong time."

Usyk’s message to Ukraine

08:14 , Alex Young

Usyk, who was watched in Ukraine on free-to-air TV, gave his homeland reason to cheer with the victory, in the face of Russia's invasion.

"I want to thank everyone who prayed for me and thank God for the help he gave me," the two-weight world champion said.

"I devote this victory to my country, to my family, to my team, to all the military people who are defending the country. Thank you very much.

"Many generations are going to watch this fight, especially the round where someone tried to beat me hard, but I withstood it and turned in a different way. Thanks to God."

01:52 , George Flood

A bizarre Twitter row between UFC superstar Conor McGregor and former super-middleweight champion Carl Froch, working as a pundit for Sky Sports, provides another bizarre subplot to tonight...

Hearn: Joshua exploded.. he’s devastated

01:49 , George Flood

Here’s Eddie Hearn defending Joshua’s post-fight antics in Jeddah tonight...

“The reaction from AJ - he’s a human, so much pressure, he exploded, he was devastated,” he told Sky Sports.

“He’s a competitor and a man. He’s [Usyk] pound-for-pound No 1. They asked me [about the score], I thought it was close. I thought 115-113. I had it very close. Maybe AJ one round up after the ninth. A great performance from Anthony Joshua.

“They’re both tremendous fighters. [Tyson] Fury is a clever man, he could’ve fought Usyk, he chose not to. AJ was desperate to win the fight. He lost a split decision to the pound-for-pound No 1. He needs to go back, rebuild, get the frustration out, but also be happy."

Fury SAVAGES Usyk and Joshua and makes latest retirement U-turn

01:44 , George Flood

Tyson Fury has seemingly suggested that he will face Oleksandr Usyk in a colossal undisputed heavyweight fight after all as he mercilessly mocked both the Ukrainian and long-time rival Anthony Joshua following their high-profile rematch in Saudi Arabia.

The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ insisted again on the occasion of his 34th birthday last week that he was retired from boxing, having previously stated that he would return to end his illustrious career with an all-British trilogy bout against Derek Chisora, whom he claimed turned down a potential £2million payday for a fight later in 2022.

However, Usyk stated soon after his hard-fought split-decision win over an improved Joshua in Jeddah that he believed Fury did want to fight him for the chance to become the first undisputed king of the heavyweight ranks since the legendary Lennox Lewis.

Read the full article here

Usyk believes Fury will face him in undisputed battle

01:34 , George Flood

Oleksandr Usyk believes Tyson Fury will face him in a mammoth undisputed heavyweight showdown, insisting that is the only fight he is now willing to entertain.

The Ukrainian withstood an improved performance from Anthony Joshua to claim a split-decision victory in Saturday night’s huge rematch in Saudi Arabia that came 11 months after his comprehensive points win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With a 20th professional victory in only his fourth fight at heavyweight, former 200lbs king Usyk successfully retained the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO belts he first won on that fateful night in north London last September, also picking up The Ring title recently vacated by Fury.

Fury still holds the WBC strap he took from Deontay Wilder and defended against Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April, but recently insisted once again that he was now retired after a potential bout with Derek Chisora fell through.

Read the full story here

01:12 , George Flood

Here’s that rant from Joshua tonight in full....

Fury reacts to Usyk win

01:01 , George Flood

“Both of them were s***e.”

“One of the worst heavyweight title fights I’ve ever seen.”

“I would annihilate them both on the same night.”

“Get your chequebook out because the Gypsy King is here to stay forever.”

Tyson Fury has reacted to tonight’s main event with a video clip just posted on social media. Please excuse the bad language...

Bellew offers Joshua support

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:47 , George Flood

Joshua makes extraordinary outburst after Usyk defeat

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:42 , George Flood

Anthony Joshua addressed the crowd in an impromptu outburst after his heavyweight world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk.

The Ukrainian claimed a split-decision victory over Joshua in Jeddah after a fascinating rematch following Usyk’s comfortable victory 11 months ago.

This contest was far more even but few onlookers expected the challenger to win on points and he gave a respectful embrace to his opponent after the final round.

However, soon after the decision was announced, Joshua grabbed two belts and held them aloft before hurling them out of the ring. He then attempted to leave the arena before being brought back by his team.

After returning, Joshua spoke to Usyk and appeared baffled at his defeat before grabbing the microphone in front of Usyk, stating that he does not see himself as a “12-round fighter” given his stature.

Read the full article here

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:37 , George Flood

Here’s that post-fight interview from Usyk, who dedicated his victory to Ukraine and had a message for a certain Tyson Fury....

Watch: Joshua confronts Usyk after defeat

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:26 , George Flood

Really not sure what was running through Joshua’s mind here.

So out of character and it looks downright disrespectful, hurling down those belts.

Passions high, yes, but it really feels like he robbed Usyk of his moment and I think he’ll regret it tomorrow.

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:19 , George Flood

Usyk says he is certain that Tyson Fury is not really retired and wants to fight him in a mammoth clash to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

Fingers crossed! What an occasion that would be.

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:17 , George Flood

That was so odd from Joshua, who has now retreated backstage.

He simultaneously made himself look silly but gave plenty of deserved kudos to Usyk, who now rightly has his moment, draped in the colours of Ukraine.

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:11 , George Flood

This is bizarre from Joshua, who has snatched the microphone and is ranting with plenty of swear words thrown in.

Let Usyk have his moment! Really not a good look.

One of his team should intervene.

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:10 , George Flood

Something has really upset Joshua here.

He’s furious at something and initially goes to storm backstage before eventually going back to the ring.

He appeared to grab two of the belts and then threw them down.

Joshua is raging here, arguing with Usyk as he takes the Ukraine flag off his shoulders.

Usyk beats Joshua by split decision

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:08 , George Flood

All class from Joshua, who holds the Ukraine flag aloft with Usyk before the cards are read out.

115-113 Joshua, 115-113 Usyk, 116-112 Usyk - it’s a split-decision win for Usyk, who retains his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles, as well as picking up The Ring belt.

Not sure what judge Glenn Feldman was watching... he gave it to Joshua by two rounds!

Tears from an emotional Usyk. What an achievement after such a difficult year.

Can he coax Tyson Fury out of retirement for that monumental undisputed showdown?

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:03 , George Flood

Both warriors share a touching embrace after another furious 12 rounds.

Usyk sinks to his knees in the middle of the ring.

We await the official scorecards, but surely no doubt about the result tonight.

Joshua vs Usyk

Sunday 21 August 2022 00:02 , George Flood

Round 12

Joshua is going for it with a nice body shot and crisp right upstairs, but the ultra-slippery Usyk comes back with a stinging counter.

AJ is trying to go for it, to his credit, but Usyk is dancing around and spinning off him, landing all the time.

A determined Joshua is trying his utmost, but he hasn’t got the necessary energy or strength left now.

Usyk is catching him every time he comes forward.

THE BELL SOUNDS! SURELY ANOTHER WIN FOR OLEKSANDR USYK!

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:59 , George Flood

Round 11

Usyk feels that hard body shot from Joshua that momentarily forces him back against the ropes.

But he brushes it off and carries on with a familiar approach, moving all over the place even 11 rounds into such a gruelling contest.

Joshua is swinging a bit wildly now and Usyk is playing with him at times, peppering him with scoring shots, mostly notably to the body.

What a fighter he is.

Joshua needs a knockout in the final round, it’s that simple. Otherwise this is a third professional defeat with his prospects at the elite heavyweight level heavily damaged.

Here we go with the 12th...

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:56 , George Flood

Into the penultimate round in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua has had his moments tonight, but surely needs a knockout from here.

He needs to reach deep into his energy reserves and muster the strength to find that one big onslaught.

Otherwise the belts are staying with Usyk.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:54 , George Flood

Round 10

What a start to the 10th from Usyk, who comes roaring back after that onslaught with some clubbing blows.

Usyk is teeing off on Joshua now, with the Briton open and an easy target with his feet square.

BUT HE THEN LANDS A MASSIVE RIGHT HAND OF HIS OWN THAT JOLTS THE CHAMPION!

Usyk’s legs look a little shaky, but he has the heart of a lion and starts letting his hands go with some big shots once again.

Superb drama in Jeddah!

Joshua leans back onto the ropes as he feels the pace of this bout.

Usyk is putting together some lovely combinations late in the 10th, going to body and head as the heavy shots rain down on Joshua.

A massive round for Usyk.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:51 , George Flood

We’re into deep waters and the championship rounds!

Nine minutes to go... who will take this fascinating bout?

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:51 , George Flood

Round 9

Usyk’s movement is not slowing as Joshua tries to land to the body again, attempting to set up the big right hand and the space to come inside and detonate some huge shots.

Usyk clinging on a bit with a minute left in the ninth, much better work from AJ who is now chasing Usyk around the ring and letting his hands go!

Usyk under HUGE pressure with this onslaught!

So much better from Joshua with the crowd whipped into a frenzy, he’s backing Usyk up and forcing him to slow down and cover up.

Usyk isn’t used to this sort of pressure and eats a solid uppercut.

The bell sounds. A huge, huge Joshua round - his best of the rematch so far by a mile. That will have significantly tired Usyk.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:47 , George Flood

Round 8

The ring is wiped down yet again as both men slip with the sweat pouring off them on such a hot and humid night in Jeddah.

Decent body work from Joshua early in the eighth, but he needs to follow up on it!

A solid jab to the chest shows his power and forces the champion back, but he struggles to build on it.

But with 50 seconds left, Joshua comes on strong and lands some punishing blows to the body, forcing Usyk against the ropes.

It’s all a bit untidy before the bell as Joshua lunges desperately in search of more energy-sapping body shots, with Usyk then trying to fire back.

Round eight to Joshua.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:43 , George Flood

This is unquestionably a better effort from Joshua than at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 11 months ago, but he needs to make the size and power work or he’s going to run out of rounds.

He surely cannot win this on points, Usyk is just too good at landing the scoring blows and putting the rounds away.

He’s landing the better shots and leads 5-3 on my card. His body work is supreme.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:42 , George Flood

Round 7

Joshua’s conditioning looks good as he continues his attempted assault to the body to stop Usyk and make him a far easier target to hit.

But Usyk is just so darned light on his feet with sensational lateral movement, footwork and ring IQ.

Great work from Usyk in the second half of the round to put that one in the bag, finding the angles to fire off from distance and sneak in to land on the inside.

Signs of frustration from Joshua?

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:38 , George Flood

Round 6

A great combo from Joshua early in the sixth and he drills in a damaging body shot behind the elbow to follow up.

But Usyk returns it in kind once more.

Joshua with another right to the body as he continues to try to wear down the champion.

Some swelling visible around the right eye of the challenger now.

Usyk dancing around and peppers Joshua with some good shots from the outside, but Joshua lands that right to the body again.

Usyk quickly gets out of there and unleashes his own left to the midriff.

A nice backhand/right hook combination from the nimble Usyk, with Joshua covered up and forced onto the defensive towards the end of the round.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:34 , George Flood

Nip and tuck still through five rounds in Jeddah.

I’ve got it 3-2 Usyk, but there will inevitably be plenty of debate on that!

A frenetic tempo to this rematch, with both men in great condition.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:33 , George Flood

Round 5

Both men fire back at the other as soon as someone lands, each trying to sap the other’s energy with stinging efforts to the body.

The busy Usyk looks to have been caught low there and walks away gingerly. The referee affords him the necessary time to recover, but he doesn’t want it and we’re off again swiftly.

Joshua lands another heavy body shot with just over a minute left in the round.

But there’s Usyk with a lovely right counter to punish a sloppy jab from AJ.

Joshua eats a hard shot from Usyk with 15 seconds left in the round.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:30 , George Flood

Round 4

Joshua and Usyk both attempting to land to the body, with Joshua’s jab looking far more effective than it did at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Usyk puts a stylish combination together midway through the fourth, with Joshua just missing the target with a huge uppercut.

He looks for it again shortly afterward, but can’t quite find the range.

Joshua answers back with a right upstairs after Usyk works his body with the left.

Usyk sneaks in another sharp left just before the bell.

These are close rounds, tough to score. A third of the way through this rematch and it’s very, very tight.

You could have either man narrowly ahead.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:27 , George Flood

“You’re winning every round,” Joshua is told by his corner before the start of the fourth.

Not so sure about that!

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:26 , George Flood

Round 3

Usyk slips on the canvas at the start of the third, but stays upright.

Joshua getting the crowd excited with every punch he throws, but not too much to bother Usyk so far. He is such a difficult target to pin down and hit.

Garcia and Fernandez in Joshua’s corner yell at their man to jab as his momentum slows somewhat, but he then has success to the body and lands a nice uppercut on the inside.

Both men trade body blows and then decent upstairs in the middle of the ring, with some good shots following from the always moving Usyk.

Joshua with a right to the body and then looks to connect with one to the head that the crowd liked but it was shrugged off by the champion, who fires off a couple of stinging punches before the bell.

Better from Joshua overall, but probably not enough to take the round. 3-0 Usyk? 2-1 maybe? That was a very close round.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:21 , George Flood

Round 2

A good body shot from Joshua to open round number two.

He’s trying to jab well to the body to set up that right hand.

Joshua finds the mark with a left hook to the body and Usyk brushes a strong right off the gloves.

Usyk’s footwork is typically sharp and his angles lovely as he fires off some good punches from the outside.

But Joshua is walking him down, going to the body again before eating Usyk’s sharp jab upstairs.

Usyk always on the move as usual, driving home another decent left hand.

Joshua unloads an eye-catching right to the body before the bell.

That’s probably 2-0 Usyk in terms of rounds, but certainly a better start from Joshua than he had 11 months ago.

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:17 , George Flood

Round 1

Joshua in black shorts and white boots, with Usyk’s white shorts emblazoned with the yellow and blue of Ukraine.

A tentative opening as both men feel each other out, Joshua jabbing to the body well and looking to set up his effective right hand.

Joshua with a good right to the chest and comes firing out with a right after Usyk lands a solid left.

Another left from Usyk is followed by a tidy Joshua body blow, which is returned in kind.

Usyk takes centre ring and rocks Joshua’s head back with a sharp left hand just before the bell.

An intriguing opener! Taken by Usyk?

Joshua vs Usyk

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:14 , George Flood

WE ARE OFF AND RUNNING IN TONIGHT’S HUGE MAIN EVENT!

Can Anthony Joshua regain his lost heavyweight belts on another career-defining night and become a three-time world champion in the process?

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:12 , George Flood

The final pre-fight introductions now from the dulcet tones of one Mr Michael Buffer.

His trademark ‘Let’s get ready to rumble’ still hits as hard as it ever has!

A massive event feel to this. So much on the line.

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:09 , George Flood

It’s time for the national anthems in Jeddah!

God Save the Queen up first...

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:05 , George Flood

Here comes the champion!

A stern glare fixed on his moustached face as Usyk walks to the ring with a light-up white gilet covering a t-shirt in the colours of his native Ukraine.

Saturday 20 August 2022 23:02 , George Flood

Joshua is a picture of calm and focus as he emerges at the end of a long tunnel after a pre-fight hype video, clad in black robe, shorts and gloves with white boots.

The words of Mike Tyson’s legendary trainer Cus D'Amato ring out as he makes the short walk to the ring.

A great reception for Joshua from this crowd.

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:57 , George Flood

Plenty of chants in Joshua’s favour as we wait for him to emerge from his dressing room.

Such a sense of excitement and anticipation in Jeddah.

HERE HE COMES!

Usyk vs Joshua 2 coming up

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:50 , George Flood

Just the colossal main event to come now at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Arena!

Usyk vs Joshua 2 is NEXT!

Don’t go anywhere. You won’t want to miss this and we’ll have LIVE round-by-round coverage right here.

Hrgovic beats Zhang by unanimous decision

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:47 , George Flood

115-112, 115-112, 114-13 - all in favour of Hrgovic, who wins by unanimous decision.

He becomes the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight title currently held by Oleksandr Usyk that will be on the line in tonight’s main event.

Team Zhang are stunned and the crowd loudly boos that result.

Another controversy after Badou Jack’s split-decision win earlier.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:43 , George Flood

Round 12

A strong final round from Hrgovic, who intensely walks down an exhausted Zhang as the Chinese fighter continually clings on and tries to make it to the last bell.

Hrgovic - who also slips on the canvas - raises his hand at the end of a gruelling heavyweight slobberknocker that I cannot quite believe went the distance.

Zhang’s tiredness evident as he slumps on the ropes in the corner.

This really could go either way, or even end up a draw. Zhang started well, got the early knockdown and controlled much of the first half of the fighter.

But Hrgovic came on strong at times in the closing rounds, despite his bizarre approach that seemed like he was fighting in a daze at times.

We await the judges scorecards. Promoter Nisse Sauerland clearly feels Hrgovic has done enough.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:38 , George Flood

Round 11

We are into the penultimate round and both men continue to slip around on this canvas - it needs to be sorted properly as it’s becoming dangerous now.

Another bizarre turn away from Hrgovic, who again pays the price for leaving himself so inexplicably open.

He looks disinterested and lethargic yet again as his gaze wanders outside the ring, but then once more comes out firing with good combinations and body work. Such an odd performance.

Zhang is down just before the bell in the eleventh, but he merely slipped on the wet ring floor. Certainly no knockdown there.

Scoring these rounds is so hard because of Hrgovic’s Jekyll and Hyde approach tonight.

Zhang ahead on my card thanks to that early knockdown, but it’s probably very close.

Into the final round we go!

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:35 , George Flood

Round 10

This is real Jekyll and Hyde stuff from Hrgovic, who looks disinterested and out of sorts at times but then comes roaring forward with some powerful combinations.

Zhang leaves himself open as he once again complains about the excess moisture on the slippery surface as sweat continues to drip off both hard-working heavyweights.

Some more fine combos from Hrgovic, but he eats a massive left before the bell!

The momentum continues to swing violently back and forth in this absorbing, topsy-turvy affair that is serving as a fine appetiser for tonight’s huge main event.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:31 , George Flood

Round 9

Sweat is absolutely pouring off both men in a hard battle being contested on an extremely warm and humid night in Jeddah.

The ring canvas has had to be wiped down several times, now again after Zhang is caught with a big shot.

The tide looks to have turned in Hrgovic’s favour, he’s now the obvious aggressor and putting the combinations together against a slowing opponent.

But Zhang explodes forward with a clubbing left hand and vicious uppercut that hurts Hrgovic with time ticking away in the ninth!

Hrgovic inexplicably then drops his hands after getting smacked with another fierce right and he pays the price with a powerful left and then right uppercut that find their target.

Really odd behaviour from the Croatian, whose face is smeared with blood. He’s rightly read the riot act in the corner.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:26 , George Flood

Round 8

Better work from Hrgovic in the eighth, but both men are still landing heavily and really beginning to feel the pace now.

The big Croatian leans exhausted on the ropes at the end a decent round.

Whose conditioning will see them through here?

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:24 , George Flood

Footage shows Usyk and Joshua both having their hands wrapped backstage as this fascinating heavyweight co-main event continues.

Such an enormous sense of anticipation for tonight’s key attraction in Jeddah. It’s all on the line for Joshua on another career-defining night.

Can he rise to the occasion and prove himself as the comeback king once more?

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:21 , George Flood

Round 7

An audible gasp from a now full King Abdullah Sports City Arena as both men land powerful punches at almost exactly the same time early in the seventh.

Zhang still controlling the pace but Hrgovic is flashing at times.

Both huge heavyweights are landing plenty, with some good body work from Hrgovic shortly before the bell.

Surely this won’t go the distance?! Zhang must be ahead on the cards, but he hasn’t been able to get Hrgovic out of there despite the Croatian being out of sorts for the most part.

This fight could well come down to who is able to produce the most stamina.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:17 , George Flood

Round 6

A lethargic Hrgovic is bleeding from the nose and his legs look increasingly unsteady as Zhang senses his moment in the sixth, applying relentless pressure and stalking his unsettled opponent.

Zhang lets the big punches fly in bunches, including some more great combinations, and Hrgovic is forced back, he seems tired and out of sorts.

He’ll be cleaned out at this rate if he doesn’t wake up. Another round firmly taken by the pride of China.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:13 , George Flood

Round 5

Zhang is beginning to visibly tire in the fifth and shoots a little glance to his corner as Hrgovic steps up his efforts.

It looks like the Croatian’s round as he fires out some heavy blows, but he’s hurt before the bell!

Great durability from Zhang, who withstands some big shots to come on strong once more.

Great heavyweight bout, this. Hrgovic does not look comfortable in his corner before the beginning of the sixth.

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:11 , George Flood

Tony Bellew’s thoughts on those opening four rounds...

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:08 , George Flood

Round 4

Zhang continues to come forward and control the tempo, digging some powerful shots to the body and putting the stylish combinations together.

Hrgovic has success with a flashy combo of his own, but he’s then drilled by Zhang, who lands heavy hooks and a bruising uppercut.

Hrgovic finds home with a one-two shortly before the bell, but it’s surely another round in the bag for Zhang.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:05 , George Flood

Round 3

After the action restarts, Zhang takes the initiative and steps on the gas with some terrific shots, applying the pressure and hurting Hrgovic with some solid punches to both head and body.

Hrgovic tries to turn the tide with some combinations, but Zhang counters very nicely indeed before the bell.

Definitely Zhang’s round, that. He looks sharper through three.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:02 , George Flood

Round 3

An accidental clash of heads right at the beginning of the third calls a brief halt to proceedings as the ringside doctor is called up to check on both men, who are each marked.

Blood is streaming from a cut on the top of Hrgovic’s head, but he’s cleaned up and given the okay to carry on.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 22:00 , George Flood

Round 2

Hrgovic is looking out of sorts as he tries to work the body but is instead on the receiving end of a smart Zhang counter-attack that sees him showcase surprisingly deft foot and hand speed.

Hrgovic feels his way into this fight with a couple of cracking right hands and combinations as an entertaining second round progresses.

A right hand down the middle from Hrgovic just before the bell, but Zhang largely brushes it off.

A much better round for El Animal.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:57 , George Flood

Round 1

A surprisingly cautious start from these big-punching heavyweights.

Hrgovic probably has the better of the opening exchanges, until a right hook to the back of the head sends him down!

He looks nervy and Zhang pushes forward, also nailing the Croatian with a powerful straight left hand.

A super opening round for Zhang. A strange knockdown, but it counts. 10-8 round for Zhang.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:53 , George Flood

The first bell sounds in tonight’s co-main event between two giant heavyweights that has been long in the making.

Who will put themselves front of the queue for the IBF belt currently held by Usyk that will be on the line in tonight’s main event?

Here we go. Don’t expect this 12-rounder to last too long...

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:51 , George Flood

This is Hrgovic’s first bout since knocking out Emir Ahmatovic in the third round in Las Vegas in December.

An Olympic bronze medalist from Rio 2016 who is 14-0 as a professional with 12 knockouts, he is a hugely powerful, enigmatic talent and potential future world champion who nobody seemingly wants to face.

Zhang, who turned 39 in May, has finally taken on the challenge tonight on a massive stage. The pride of China is a talented southpaw who won silver at his home Beijing Olympics in 2008.

He is unbeaten as a pro at 24-0-1 with 19 knockouts.

Zhang last appeared in May with a powerful first-round knockout of Scott Alexander.

Hrgovic vs Zhang

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:44 , George Flood

Right, now it really is going to be Hrgovic vs Zhang up next!

Can one of the most avoided men in the heavyweight ranks put on a show in Jeddah?

Al Samreen stops Tarverdi

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:36 , George Flood

Round 4

Al Samreen gets another stoppage inside the distance!

Tarverdi is sent down hard by a gorgeous uppercut that lands flush on the inside.

He steps up the tempo after that, sensing blood, crashing in a litany of further heavy punches to both head and body.

The referee steps in and waves it off (too early?). Punishing stuff from the 22-year-old Al Samreen, who remains undefeated at 7-0.

He’s got obvious potential. What an uppercut.

Tarverdi vs Al Samreen

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:34 , George Flood

Round 3

Tarverdi certainly doesn’t lack heart and aggression, but he’s being schooled for the most part here.

Tarverdi tries to go for it and apply some pressure in the penultimate round, but Al Samreen is a far more experienced and talented fighter with decent variety and power in both hands.

Al Samreen continuing to land plenty on his brave opponent, unleashing so many hard shots that must be taking their toll.

Tarverdi vs Al Samreen

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:28 , George Flood

Round 2

Al Samreen punishes Tarverdi with some heavy blows and combinations early in the second, going through his repertoire and unleashing a corker of an uppercut.

Tarverdi tries to show he isn’t hurt, unwisely calling for the heavy-handed Jordanian to bring on more.

Al Samreen obliges with fine variety, nailing his opponent with some more quality right hands and another eye-catching short uppercut.

He’s going through his extensive arsenal and in firm control of his short bout.

Tarverdi vs Al Samreen

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:25 , George Flood

Round 1

A cautious start to this bonus bout, in stark contrast to some of the enthralling firefights we’ve seen so far tonight.

The unbeaten Al Samreen jabbing and landing well, staying calm and measured and flashing the right hand.

Tarverdi is a confident character who doesn’t lack energy, but he’s firmly on the back foot.

Tarverdi vs Al Samreen

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:22 , George Flood

Hang on, we spoke too soon there!

I mentioned earlier there was still a swing bout to fit in somewhere tonight, and it appears it’s going to be before the co-main event.

Fuad Tarverdi of Azerbaijan and Jordan’s Bader Al Samreen clash in a super-lightweight four-rounder.

Hrgovic vs Zhang next

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:18 , George Flood

Just the chief support act of the night to come now in Jeddah, then it’s over to Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk.

Undefeated Croatian powerhouse Filip Hrgovic faces Zhang Zhilei of China in a final eliminator for the IBF heavyweight title - one of the belts on the line in the main event.

Beterbiev-Smith at Anfield?

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:11 , George Flood

Eddie Hearn wants to stage that Beterbiev-Smith fight at Anfield in 2023.

It seems likely that Smith will have another bout before that though, having fought only once this year so far.

Beterbiev was due to face WBO mandatory Anthony Yarde in the UK later this year, but that bout has now been pushed back to early 2023 due to an injury sustained by the champion.

So who next for Smith? A domestic dust-up? He doesn’t want to risk too much in a stacked division that also contains the likes of Dmitry Bivol and put that title shot in jeopardy.

Anthony Joshua in the house

Saturday 20 August 2022 21:02 , George Flood

Look who has arrived at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena!

Smith stops Bauderlique in round four

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:59 , George Flood

Round 4

CALLUM SMITH!

Bauderlique shows some chin and amazing durability as he eats big shot after big shot from Smith, who unloads massive punches at will after that first knockdown in the fourth.

The Frenchman looks to have his legs back underneath him despite that heavy punishment, but he’s sent sprawling to the canvas again with another superb left hook that catches him flush on the temple as he tried to trade at close range and swing an overhand right.

No coming back from that. What a punch - and one of his favourites. Smith definitely packs the power at light-heavyweight.

But will it be enough to conquer the big-punching Artur Beterbiev? I can’t wait to find out!

Smith vs Bauderlique

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:55 , George Flood

Round 4

A beautiful counter left hook drops Bauderlique in the first 30 seconds of round four!

Bauderlique is up and brave, but Smith is inflicting some serious damage now as he looks for the stoppage...

Smith vs Bauderlique

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:54 , George Flood

Round 3

Smith, back on the scene of his famous world-title victory over George Groves in the World Boxing Super Series super-middleweight final in September 2018, applies more pressure early in the third, driving in more solid shots to the midriff that find their mark.

But Bauderlique won’t be deterred and comes back once again, backing up Smith himself and finding the right angles to inflict some damage.

McGirt yells at Smith not to worry about the head and just continue working the body, which he does with a lovely left behind the elbow.

Bauderlique won’t want to take too many more of those.

Smith vs Bauderlique

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:50 , George Flood

Round 2

Bauderlique certainly didn’t come to Jeddah for a cautious cat-and-mouse battle as he lets his hands go again at the start of the second, leading to a thrilling firefight already as both men load up and detonate huge bombs.

Smith then gains an element of control and walks down the Frenchman, applying good pressure and backing him up against the ropes with some solid shots and combinations, including a cracking uppercut and bruising blows to the body.

But Bauderlique comes firing back! He’s heavy-handed and there is already some swelling around that right eye of Smith.

Two super opening rounds fought at a frenetic pace.

Smith vs Bauderlique

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:46 , George Flood

Round 1

A fast start from Bauderlique, taking risks and throwing plenty, firing out those dangerous left hands from the southpaw stance.

But Smith battles back nicely in a very lively opening round.

“He’s fighting off nervous energy, don’t let him throw you off your gameplan” is the message to Smith by Buddy McGirt in the corner.

Smith vs Bauderlique

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:43 , George Flood

And we’re off!

Can Callum Smith move one step closer to becoming a two-division world champion?

Crisp white shorts for both men, with Liverpool red trim for Smith and French blue for ex-European, French and inter-continental champion Bauderlique.

Only a second bout for Smith at light-heavy, though he was always a huge super-middleweight.

Smith vs Bauderlique

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:41 , George Flood

Here come Bauderlique and Smith!

The 33-year-old Frenchman, who took bronze in the light-heavyweight division at the 2016 Rio Olympics, is 22-1 as a pro, with his only defeat to date coming against Italy’s Dragan Lepei in 2017.

He has stopped five of his last six opponents, including Russia’s Igor Mikhalkin in Paris last September.

Smith, now working with Buddy McGirt after parting ways with Joe Gallagher, is 28-1, with his sole defeat coming against the mighty Canelo.

Does the most prominent son of Liverpool’s famous fighting family have what it takes to go on and become a two-division world champion?

Beterbiev is such a daunting figure up ahead for tonight’s victor.

Usyk springs surprise on the scales

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:36 , George Flood

Usyk sprang a surprise on the scales at yesterday’s weigh-in.

Much of the talk in the build-up to tonight’s main event had been on the apparent weight gain by Usyk, whom Eddie Hearn said was looking bulkier and “fleshy”.

Amir Khan even said that Usyk had piled on more than 15kg, having reportedly lost 10kg while back in war-torn Ukraine, where he took up arms with a local defence battalion in Kyiv as a military volunteer following the invasion by Russia.

All the training footage and images seemed to support the view that Usyk had bulked up, but he stood on the scales yesterday at 221lbs 7oz - just a quarter-of-a-pound heavier than he was for the first Joshua fight last September.

Joshua, meanwhile, clocked in at 244lbs 9oz - four-and-a-half pounds heavier than he was at the Totteham Hotspur Stadium. That is to be expected, given the more aggressive approach he plans to enact tonight.

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:30 , George Flood

Tale of the tape

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:28 , George Flood

Usyk v Joshua

35 Age 32

19 Fights 26

19 Wins 24

13 KOs 22

0 Draws 0

0 Losses 2

156 Rounds boxed 124

6ft 3in Height 6ft 6in

Southpaw Stance Orthodox

78in/198cm Reach 82in/208cm

15st 11lbs 9oz Weight 17st, 6lbs and 8oz

Lomachenko supporting Usyk tonight

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:21 , George Flood

Vasiliy Lomachenko is in the house tonight supporting compatriot and friend Oleksandr Usyk.

The former three-division world champion is slated to return to the ring against unbeaten lightweight Jamaine Ortiz in Las Vegas in October.

It will be his third fight since that shock defeat by Teofimo Lopez in 2020.

Smith faces Bauderlique in WBC title eliminator

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:14 , George Flood

We are getting closer and closer to tonight’s massive main event in Jeddah!

A couple of intriguing title eliminators to come first, though.

First up it’s Liverpool’s Callum Smith, who is trying to become a two-weight world champion after previously holding the WBA super-middleweight belt that he lost to a certain Canelo Alvarez in Texas in December 2020.

He’s now campaigning up at light-heavy after an emphatic win over Lenin Castillo on the first Joshua-Usyk undercard and tonight meets Frenchman and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Mathieu Bauderlique.

The prize? A shot at the WBC title at 175lbs currently held by big-punching Russian superstar Artur Beterbiev.

Saturday 20 August 2022 20:03 , George Flood

Jack feels he did enough to win the fight, but knows his performance wasn’t great and admits that Rivera was such an awkward opponent.

Rivera’s disappointment is clear as he loses faith in the judging system. He wants a rematch, but knows he won’t get it, especially not on his own turf.

But he says he remains convinced that he will become a world champion.

Badou Jack takes controversial split decision

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:57 , George Flood

No he hasn’t!

David Diamante reads out the scores - 96-94 Rivera, 96-94 Jack, 96-94 Jack, who takes a controversial win by split decision.

Rivera cruelly denied a career-defining victory as he is instead handed a first professional defeat. That feels incredibly harsh, I must say.

Rivera vs Jack

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:55 , George Flood

‘Popeye’ Rivera is buoyant and confident as he puts the sailor’s hat back on and pops the pipe back in his mouth.

Jack, meanwhile, looks despondent and downbeat. Does he know he’s lost this?

Rivera vs Jack

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:53 , George Flood

Rivera musters the energy for a combative final round, still letting his hands go and trying to finish strongly.

Jacks thunders down a couple of stinging rights over the course of the final three minutes, but it’s not an explosive ending that he may well have needed.

The final bell sounds and both men think they’ve won, climbing onto the ropes and saluting the crowd.

I think Rivera has done enough to nick an incredible win. But the judges’ scorecards will decide...

Rivera vs Jack

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:50 , George Flood

Jack goes for it again at the start of the penultimate round, landing well and with not as much coming back from Rivera, who is looking tired now and lacking the same fizz on his punches.

But this is a 10-rounder, remember.

Has Rivera already done enough to claim a career-best win? Does Jack need a knockout, or will the judges be kind despite his early struggles?

Into the final round we go!

Rivera vs Jack

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:47 , George Flood

What on earth happened there?! The bell just never rang and we went at least 30 seconds over at the end of round eight.

That would have provoked massive controversy, had Jack managed to force the stoppage.

The tough Rivera just about withstood it, although he soaked up so much damage when he should have been safely back in the corner.

Into the ninth, with Jack’s confidence now suitably boosted.

Can he hammer home his advantage from here?

Jack vs Rivera

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:44 , George Flood

Some visible swelling around the right eye of Jack, who slows Rivera with a couple of cracking rights that find their mark early in round number eight.

But yet again Rivera somehow finds the energy to spring forward undettered and let his hands go, unsettling Jack and knocking him off balance.

Another strong right driven home by Jack, but he’s still getting caught by plenty.

A lovely short left hook from Jack hurts Rivera towards the end of the round and another massive left hook then stellar right hand may have the American in trouble!

Jack teeing off at will now, with a crushing blow to the body, where the hell is the bell?! This is going well beyond three minutes.

Jack vs Rivera

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:39 , George Flood

Finally some good success early in the seventh for Jack, using that left hand to nice effect.

But still Rivera is unfazed, lunging forward in bursts and letting all kinds of shots fly. His chin is so exposed all the time, but it’s not hurting him so far here.

Good body work from Jack towards the end of the round. Is the tide starting to turn?

Usyk in the house

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:37 , George Flood

The charismatic Oleksandr Usyk looks as calm as ever as the cameras film him arriving backstage at the King Abdullah Sports Arena in Jeddah.

A massive main event in store. You don’t want to miss it!

Jack vs Rivera

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:35 , George Flood

Jack fizzes in a big right hand at the start of the sixth and finally backs Rivera up into the corner, driving well into the body.

But he struggles again to find rhythm and consistency as Rivera continues to have success with those short-range uppercuts.

Rivera goads Jack as the former receives a warning from the referee for turning round his opponent and then ripping a powerful left to the stomach.

Jack frustrated yet again as the sixth wears on. It’s just not been his night so far.

Jack vs Rivera

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:32 , George Flood

The problem often for Jack is that when he jabs to open up the inside and then get in to land some body shots, Rivera takes that as his opportunity to let his hands go and ‘The Ripper’ is forced back to cover up and retreat.

You can tell that Jack is really struggling to work out the best method of attack against such an unorthodox opponent.

Rivera will be very content indeed with his work through five rounds. But can he maintain this sort of pace?

I think he’s up on the cards.

Jack vs Rivera

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:28 , George Flood

Jack is constantly trying to walk down Rivera, jabbing and attempting to pepper his body with those energy-sapping punches.

But ‘Popeye’ keeps coming lunging forward to spoil his best-laid plans, chin in the air and swinging for the fences. He’s also doing some nice work at close range at times.

Make no mistake, this is a difficult old test for Jack that he needs to solve.

Into round five we go...

Jack vs Rivera

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:25 , George Flood

Badou Jack just can’t really get a handle on this fight at the moment.

Rivera is unusual and tricky with a decent engine, driving in some nice short uppercuts at close range.

He swings wildly at times, but 16 knockouts in 21 fights - albeit against lowly opposition - shows he has power.

Jack must get back to that trademark body work that will surely sap his opponent’s energy the longer this battle goes on.

Jack vs Rivera

Saturday 20 August 2022 19:20 , George Flood

Rivera is hurt by a stinging body shot a minute into the second, but he’s undeterred as he comes swinging back... wildly but hitting the mark well at times.

Jack gets caught by a decent uppercut and then gets hammered by a huge swinging right.

Rivera’s approach is unorthodox and outright strange at times, but he’s clearly got power and a bit of speed.

However, Jack uncorks a cracker of a right towards the end of the round.

Intriguing scrap this. Jack is struggling to work him out a bit, but needs to stay patient and keep drilling in those shots to the body.

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