Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua round by round results
Rage on the Red Sea takes place tonight, August 20, on Sky Sports Box Office with the main event featuting Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in the coastal city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
BBN are reporting LIVE with up to date round by round results and full fight reports:
3:30pm FIRST FIGHT
6×3 International Light-Heavyweight contest
DANIEL LAPIN vs JOSEF JURKO
Ukrainian Daniel Lapin kicked off proceedings in his sixth pro bout against winning fighter Jozef Jurko in what was his first eight-rounder. The 25-year-old southpaw first started boxing aged six, so even though the light-heavyweight looks fresh-faced, he has had close to 20 years of experience in the sport already. And it shows… he patiently jabbed to head and body to find his range and was able to land a heavy body shot in the opener. Positive start for Lapin, patient but calculated.
The Slovakian overreached with a few early shots ans was punished with counters. Lapin was pawing with his long jab, which infuriated Jurko to land a shot of his own. Lapin soon backed him into the corner to land a sharp body shot, which earned Jurko's respect.
In the third, Lapin started patiently again and powered in a backhand uppercut early on in the segment. Then he set a trap for Jurko to land a lovely left hand down the pipe. This round, he was landing at will and dominating the contest completely. He landed another lovely body shot under the elbow. The young prospect looked like he was enjoying himself now and was well into his stride.
Jurko was lunging in and managed to land one of a three shot combo before Lapin was able to pivot away. With over 300 amateur bouts under his belt, Lapin is a wily, intelligent fighter.
During round five, Lapin had to have his shoelace retied. Jurko was trying to be more aggressive, but a little half step from Lapin and sharp reflexes made sure he was always ready with a counter. Whenever Jurko tucked up tight, Lapin would tap at his gloves then go downstairs to the body, but his power hasn't been able to hurt his man yet.
In the seventh, he was sneaking in shots from all angles. Lapin upped the tempo in the last round to try and get the stoppage. Lapin was putting more power behind his shots and ran out of time to get the stoppage as the bell sounded. The bout was scored 80-72 to unbeaten Lapin.
Fight #2
4×3 International Super-Welterweight contest
RASHED BELHASA vs TRAYCHO GEORGIE
Fight #3
6×3 International Light-Heavyweight contest
BEN WHITTAKER vs PETAR NOSIC
Whittaker won on points against former amateur rival Nosic.
Fight #4
8×3 Heavyweight contest
ANDREW TABITI vs JAMES WILSON
Andrew Tabiti retired James Wilson in rounf five of a scheduled eight of their all-American heavyweight bout.
6pm Sky Sports & DAZN
8×2 International Super-Banjtamweight contest
RAMLA ALI vs CRYSTAL GARCIA NOVA
It was fast and furious while it lasted. Ramla Ali steamed in and knocked Nova's gumshield out with a straight right, then pummeled the Dominican Republic fighter into submission against the ropes in the very first round.
Fight #6
4×3 International Super-Lightweight contest
ZIYAD ALMAAYOUF vs JOSE ALATORRE
Another frenzied firefight and first round stoppage. Alatorre was aggressive, but was shaken with a big shot in the dying seconds of the opener, which Ziyad followed up with clinically, knocking him down with a flurry of accurate head shots.
Fight #7
10 x 3 mins Cruiserweight contest
BADOU JACK vs RICHARD RIVERA
Known as 'Popeye', Richie Rivera walked to te ring with a pipe in his mouth, smiling, looking confident, enjoying his moment. His colourful persona extended into the ring with his flashy style. Hands down, flicking out the jab, but also leaning back into the ropes to entice Jack on and cleverly pivoting away seamlessly. The pair ended the round with a staredown that the referee had to split up.
The cruiserweights both landed cleanly on each other in round two, but Rivera was getting the more eyecatching blows in.
Rivera landed a right hand right on the bell. Badou Jack looked annoyed. Undefeated Rivera has knocked out his last four foes, three in the first round and his last fight only went to the third. Jack has won four fights since his 2019 loss to Jean Pascal, three of those by knockout.
Rivera was having a lot of success with his uppercuts. The flashy fighter is exciting to watch.
In round seven, he came out popping his jab then soon landed some more eyecatching uppercuts.
'Jack the Ripper' lived up to his nickname in the eighth by coming out aggressively, throwing powerful blows but Rivera covered up on the ropes and shook them off. Jack did the same in round nne, clearly sensing he was down on the scorecards.
Jack landed a lovely right to Rivera's chin in the closing seconds of the contest, but was it enough? Both boxers held their arms aloft after the bell.
Badou Jack took the judges decision on points, leaving Rivera understandably disappointed.
8:15pm Live Musical Performance
Chief Support
12×3 WBC Light-Heavyweight World Title Final Eliminator
CALLUM SMITH vs MATHIEU BAUDERLIQUE
Frenchman Bauderlique started sharply and managed to land a few swift jabs on Smith in the opener.
Bauderlique goes down early in round four, but plucky and brave, he carrie son. He even survives the oncoming onslaught but a strong, full swing left hook crumpled him to the canvas about a minute later to end the fight.
Despite the early stoppage, Bauderlique gave Smith one hell of a fight and would have earnd some fans after that exhilarating performance.
Co-Main Event
12 x 3 mins IBF Heavyweight World Title Final Eliminator
FILIP HRGOVIC vs ZHILEI ZHANG
Hrgovic down from a right hook to the temple in a tentative round one.
The unbeaten Croatian is throwing more in the second stanza.
In the third, the doctor has to inspect a cut on the head of Hrgovic. It's quite an even round, with both boxers landing.
Hrgovic is throwing more but Zhang lands a nice volley in round four.
It#s such an even battle, both boxers landing, but Hrgovic looks slightly fresher.
Hrgovic landing at will in round 10. Zhang looks tired.
Zhang was down in the 11th but ruled asa slip.
In the 12th, Zhang's output has been ow for a while but he still lands telling blows, but Hrgovic should be up on the scorecards. Zhang was completely exhausted by the final bell.
Scores were 115-112, 114-113 to Filip Hrgovic.
Main Event
12×3 mins IBO, WBA, WBO, IBF & Ring Magazine Heavyweight World Titles
OLEKSANDR USYK vs ANTHONY JOSHUA
First round to Usyk, just a continuation of the first fight so far. Joshua's promise to start with more aggression hasn't been displayed in this first round.
Usyk's speed is beating Joshua again, who still lacks any of the aggression he promised.
A low bow in round five to Usyk stopped proceedings for a moment. Matthew Macklin at ringside questioned if it was too low, but the replays clearly show that it was.
In round six, Joshua didn't lay a glove on Usyk at all.
Joshua's aggression and higher output is non-existant and Usyk is just picking him off.
Usyk is toying with Joshua, but in rounds eight and nine Joshua comes on strong and really applies the pressure.
Round 10 sees AJ land his best shot yet. Joshua lands a solid right to the head of Usyk, but he uses his powers of recovery to get through and comes back strong.
Split decision victory to Oleksandr Usyk seems questionable that one judge scored the fight 7-5 to Joshua.
Live Float
6×3 International Super-Lightweight contest
BADER ALSAMREEN vs FAUD TARVERDI
