Oleksandr Usyk fights his way past a determined Anthony Joshua

Oleksandr Usyk said before his rematch with Anthony Joshua that he planned to continue where he left in fight one, a bout he won by unanimous decision.  

He did just that. 

Usyk, boxing consistently, survived some rocky moments (and some curious scoring) to defeat Joshua by split decision at Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia Saturday night. Usyk retained his WBA, WBO, and IBF title belts. 

Two judges had Usyk winning the bout 115-113, 116-112, while the third scored it for Joshua 115-112. 

Maxboxing had Usyk winning by a 116-112 tally. 

The fight was more chess match than fireworks in the opening stanza. Usyk, as is his norm, bobbed and weaved – looking to counter. Joshua went to the body. Usyk, a southpaw, jabbed and scored with a left at the bell. 

Joshua committed to bodywork in round two - landing a glancing right. Usyk scored with a half–up jab. Joshua scored to the head and body to win the round. 

Usyk (21-0, 13 KOs) attempted to pick up the pace in round three. He bounced and moved to his left. 

Joshua (24-3. 22 KOs) cracked Usyk to the body. That one had to hurt. Usyk fought back. Joshua stayed calm and landed a right. Usyk scored with a left to the head at the bell.

Usyk got off first in round four. He cracked Joshua with a left blow down the middle. Seconds later, he scored again. Usyk landed more shots to the body and head. 

Joshua fired a sweeping right in round five. Usyk had found some rhythm. Joshua continued to fire blows to the midsection. Usyk landed a solid left to the jaw. 

Usyk.35. looked to build off his success in the last few rounds. His movement had Joshua unsure. Usyk scored with a right to the face and circled away. Joshua scored with a big jab. Usyk landed combinations.  

In round seven, Usyk tapped Joshua with a jab. Joshua fired a big right. Usyk moved away. He worked the body and landed two sneaky left hands to win another round. 

Joshua had fallen into the pace that Usyk was setting. The Ukrainian champion was outworking and outsmarting him. Joshua landed another solid body shot. Seconds later, he landed one more. 

Usyk scored with a combination to the face. 

Joshua battled back. Usyk connected with a solid left. 

In round nine, Joshua stalked forward – pinning Usyk against the ropes. He unloaded downstairs. Joshua scored with two hooks and several blows that had Usyk back peddling and in trouble. 

The fight was tight thru nine rounds. Could Joshua build off his newfound momentum? 

No.

Usyk, though very tired, came out punching in round 10. He fought as if he was annoyed that Joshua had done so well in the previous stanza. 

A combination of shots staggered Joshua - who went back to the body. Joshua then landed a big right. Usyk knocked Joshua back a couple of steps. He unloaded several shots that hurt Joshua. 

Usyk got off first in round 11. Joshua tried to make him pay. Instead, Usyk cracked Joshua with a right to the jaw. 

Joshua went right back to the body. Usyk rattled Joshua with a hard left.  Joshua would need to do something dramatic in the last round. 

Usyk cracked Joshua with a three-punch combination. Joshua fought back. 

Usyk was fighting like a guy who refused to lose.