Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine defeated Britain’s Anthony Joshua via split decision to retain his world heavyweight titles. 

Both fighters held up the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag as the judges’ scores were read out at King Abdullah Sport City arena near Jeddah. When he was declared the winner, Usyk hid his face behind the flag.

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Encouraged by a pre-fight message from Ukraine’s president, Usyk carried the weight of a war-torn nation in a fight that was on free-to-air TV in his native country and he had to weather a sustained body attack from an improved Joshua to secure the win.

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Both boxers looked exhausted at the final bell. Usyk fell to the canvas and looked to the sky and was soon joined there by Joshua, who embraced his opponent and appeared to offer his help to the plight of Ukraine.

However, minutes later, in his post-game address, Joshua admitted that he doesn’t ‘know what’s happening’ in Ukraine. 

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“I don’t even know what’s going on in Ukraine, but it’s not nice…is it?” he said. 

Several social media users slammed him for the statement. 

“The fact that @anthonyjoshua “doesn’t know” what’s happening in Ukraine is DISGUSTING. Then admitted it on TV. Someone should educate him. Then maybe he wouldn’t be such a poor loser. #UsykJoshua2,” a Twitter user said. 

“Anthony Joshua just had a breakdown. I feel bad for the guy but grabbing the mic like you’re a on WWE and talking shit is a disgrace and embarrassing to the sport.”What’s happening there (in Ukraine), I don’t know but it’s not nice…”Thanks for that mate👍,” one more added. 

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“Anthony Joshua is on the moon rn. Brudda talking about the Ukraine war “ain’t nice” a third one said. 

In an expletive-laden speech inside the ring, Joshua praised Usyk for fighting so well in the circumstances.

Usyk also claimed the Ring Magazine belt with the win. There’s only one heavyweight title that Usyk doesn’t own — the WBC one that was vacated this year by Tyson Fury, who says he is retired.