Nigeria suffered a bad fate at the weekend as Anthony Joshua and Usman Kamaru lost their fights. Joshua lost his bid to regain his boxing heavyweight title, while Kamaru lost his quest to retain his title in martial arts sports.
Usman, who was literally 55 seconds away from retaining his Welterweight title, suffered his first UFC career loss to Leon Edwards yesterday’s morning, but the former champion is intent on reclaiming his throne.
Usman was winning the fight handily, up 39-37 on all three judges’ scorecards. However, Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) landed the shot he needed out of nowhere, putting
Usman down without any follow-up shots needed.
The former champ did not talk with UFC commentator Joe Rogan inside the octagon for a post-fight interview, and was transported to the hospital for precautionary reasons after the knockout.
Shortly after the event, Usman issued a short message on social media after the fight.
“Champs f*ck up sometimes… but we bounce back and come with vengeance!!” Usman wrote on Twitter.
The two Nigerian have dominated their individual categories both in boxing and the UFC, however, after losing his title to Usyk 11 months ago, Joshua aimed at reclaiming them back in a bout that took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, however, he lost the rematch after two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 to Usyk, while a third judge gave it 115-113 to the challenger.
Joshua,who was visibly infuriated by the split decision and had to be restrained by members of his posse, gave odd reasons for his second defeat to Usyk.
“I don’t care about being strong, I have that skill. Being strong doesn’t win boxing skills wins boxing. How did you beat me? Because of skill? I had character and determination.” Joshua explained to a flustered Usyk.
“I am not a twelve-round fighter. Look at me, I am a new breed of heavyweight. So [I’m not like] those heavyweights like Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey, I am not 14 stone, I am 18 stone, I am heavy, and it is hard work.” the former WBO heavyweight champion said.
Despite the defeat, Joshua can still hold his head high as the fight was close from the beginning till the final bell. The 35-year-old Ukrainian remains undefeated and added the vacant Ring heavyweight title to his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.
