Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk from Ukraine has said that winning four world titles means a lot to him after he stunned Anthony Joshua at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday evening.
Usyk put up a solid performance to win the International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) ‘Super’, World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) heavyweight belts.
He showed that he meant business from the first bell as his punches found the target. It was then no wonder that all the three judges – Victor Fesechenko (117-112), Steve Weisfeld (116-112) and Howard Foster (115-113) – nodded in agreement.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Usyk said: “This means a lot. The fight went exactly the way I expected it to go. There were a couple of moments when Anthony pushed me hard, but nothing special.”
The 2012 London Olympics gold medallist revealed that he was at one stage tempted to go for the kill in an attempt to stop Joshua, but his corner advised him against that.
“I hit him hard, to try and knock him out, but my trainers said just stop and do your job,” the 34-year-old newly-crowned world champion said.
Usyk, who is unbeaten in 19 fights with 13 knockouts, added that he’s not thinking about meeting Joshua again as per the rematch clause in their contract.
“I want to go home and see my family. I’m not thinking about the rematch at the moment. You didn’t see the best of Usyk yet, I can do better,” he said on Sky Sports.
Usyk has now won world titles in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. He is a former World Boxing Council (WBC), WBA ‘Super’, IBF and WBO cruiserweight titlist.
