So, which version was it that stormed around the ring in Jeddah on Saturday night, microphone in hand, battered but shouting passion, respect and war? The sharp jaw was there, a little more mobile than usual. The realistic mind must have been there, if it trembled somewhat inside his skull. The Team GB logo was present, inked on the Briton’s bruised skin, beneath the sticky sweat. As it was, every Joshua was counted on this Saudi summer night. Everything plus this possessed, deranged version. The 32-year-old’s career has been carefully crafted over the years, his public image as chiseled as his physique. Problems have arisen when anyone other than Joshua or promoter Eddie Hearn has held the chisel. Take Oleksandr Usyk for example. Eleven months ago, he left the juggernaut until cracks appeared and the shell broke, leaving Joshua the supposed impostor standing battered and dazed in London. Almost a year later, Usyk used the same tools in Jeddah in an attempt to retain the heavyweight belts he had fought for since “AJ” with a unanimous decision victory last September. Once again, these tools broke Joshua the juggernaut. To be clear, the “rogue” label has always been an unfair label for Joshua, who has genuine skill and an impressive resume, but when you appeal to the general public and less involved fans, you’re going to attract such reckless dismissals. In any case, even an improved Joshua couldn’t shake off his Herculean shoulders on this much-anticipated night as he fell to a second decision loss to Usyk. Joshua had an improved performance, but fell short again against Usyk (PA) The pair’s main event began with Joshua jabbing to the body, trying to expose perhaps the only slight weakness Usyk had ever displayed. The Brit added straight rights, but Usyk responded in kind, changing levels while remaining light on his feet. Joshua found success with body hooks in Round 2 while mirroring the champion’s lateral movement in an attempt to lessen the upset that had upset him last September. However, Usyk floated from side to side like a ghost and spooked Joshua with southpaw straight lefts that went through the Briton’s guard as the fight reached the halfway mark. Joshua, clad in black trunks as he has been for much of his run as a heavyweight contender, looked for the uppercuts that have historically caused him such damage, but they were just out of reach – as was the awkward foe in front of him. Unlike the pair’s first fight, however, AJ was able to channel his frustration, timing vicious uppercuts to the midsection of the shorter Usyk, who complained that such a punch was below the belt. A brutality was being created, as was missing from the London version of this conflict. Usyk, who was so numb and clinical eleven months ago, dug into Joshua’s body as if annoyed by the Briton’s own attacks. The Ukrainian also showed the speed that was so effective for him last year, deftly cutting sharp corners and putting together combinations, although Joshua remained alert with a persistent guard. Joshua kept up the forward pressure but, starting to drain in the wet arena, he wasn’t complementing that move with enough efficiency, and Usyk again produced his left cross – stinging the unsuspecting former champion. The jabs gave way to slides, with the referee stopping the action in the 8th round to let the canvas dry. Joshua continued to target Usyk’s body, unleashing a quick four-punch salvo later in the frame, though Usyk continued to target him with more subtle and clean offense. Joshua was the winner on one of the three judges’ scorecards (Action images via Reuters) Joshua, beaten by urgency in Round 9, began to put together the combinations he was reluctant to pursue in London, pounding Usyk’s midsection with vicious hooks and testing the 35-year-old’s guard as well. The Ukrainian was backing away, swaying but not wilting enough, as the round ended. A flustered Usyk did what he had done so well in the first fight, holding the momentum just when Joshua looked to have caught some of his own. The Ukrainian jabbed Joshua, who had been standing in front of Usyk like an obelisk, into the cheeks and began drilling, spitting. Somehow, Joshua managed to catch Usyk with a counter right hook in the middle of a flurry from the champion and the southpaw appeared to be shaken to his core. But, again, Usyk showed his resolve, flinching, faking, and then overwhelming Joshua with vitriol and volume. A left uppercut and right hook cracked Joshua’s head late in the frame, with the Brit again running out of answers and determination as the championship rounds arrived. Desperately needing a finish, Joshua chased Usyk down in the closing moments but the Ukrainian got the better of the Briton’s shots and spat venomous punches, no doubt motivated by a desire to give his beleaguered compatriots something, anything, to celebrate. And – where they can, as long as they can – they will celebrate in Ukraine. After the final bell rang, Joshua helped his opponent raise the Ukrainian flag, moments before the scorecards were revealed – moments before Usyk was once again declared the winner of the decision over Joshua. Joshua grabbed a microphone after the fight and delivered a strange speech (Action images via Reuters) It was closer this time. Joshua was the closer, with one judge scoring the fight in his favor. But ultimately there was to be no Red Sea redemption for AJ. Unable to get the titles back, Joshua…well, literally grabbed the titles back. Out of the ring, Joshua returned to grab two of the belts and throw them out of the ring. He then grabbed a microphone. The monolith went into a strange monologue, talking about his own performance, declaring himself a “new breed” heavyweight and mocking comparisons to Mike Tyson. Fortunately, he also paid tribute to his known conqueror. Usik paid tribute to his god. However, Usyk was the master of his own destiny in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately for Joshua, the Ukrainian was once again his master.
