Oleksandr Usyk schools Anthony Joshua

The opening round told the story. Call it a foreshadowing of things to come. Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk was bobbing, feinting, and weaving.

Big heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who 19 of 21 writers said would defeat Usyk, took it all in. He fired jabs at his mobile opponent. Usyk, fighting out of a southpaw stance, nailed Joshua with straight left hands to the chin and body.

Usyk is unorthodox and crafty. Brainy really. Joshua is all about power.

In baseball, an adage says that good pitching will almost always shut down good hitting.

For 36 minutes Saturday night in London, Usyk showed that pinpoint boxing can undo power.

Joshua is all about power. 22 of his 24 wins are by knockout. His right hand is deadly.

Anthony Joshua is a boxing God in London, but one with flaws. Some, including this writer, wonder if he’s fully recovered from his loss to Andy Ruiz a few years ago. He fought Ruiz a second time and won. By boxing.

He was his old self to a certain extent in his next two fights. But still, something was missing - or lacking.

Usyk, a Ukrainian native, is the ultimate road warrior. He has no fear of fighting in his opponent’s backyard. He picked up his first title in Poland and later made all five of his defenses on the road - in Germany against Marcos Huck, two in the United States, in Latvia against tough Mairis Bredis, and in 2018, he whupped Murat Gassiev.

No fear, Usyk will fight anywhere.

He did it again Saturday. The boo birds were out as he entered the ring. No matter. He eyed Joshua on the other side of the ring, flipping the hood of his robe on and off his bald dome. What a character.

Usyk easily won the early rounds. He staggered Joshua in round three. Joshua did better in rounds five and six, but Usyk dominated round seven. He was busier and more accurate. Joshua battled, but Usyk cemented his victory in the 12th and final round, hurting Joshua with combinations.

Finni.

Joshua said after the fight that he’s a fast learner. Not that fast.

On Saturday night, Oleksandr Usyk took him to school.