Joshua came close to redemption but lost to Usyk's brilliance in Jeddah

Anthony Joshua broke down in tears in the post-fight press conference in Jeddah. He had fought gallantly, come at one point to within a whisker of beating Oleksandr Usyk, but it wasn’t enough. And at this point that was all too much for him.

Usyk retained the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles with a split decision win over Joshua, the man he had taken the titles from 11 months earlier in London. But, unlike last time, this wasn't a case of Joshua coming up short, this was a case of the brilliance of Usyk.

Joshua fought a great fight. He tactics at times seemed to be working. But the story of the fight came down to two rounds – the ninth and the tenth.

The fight was in the balance when Joshua had a brilliant ninth round, rocking Usyk repeatedly, driving him around the ring. He seemed just one clean blow from victory.

But the minute’s rest at the end of the round did wonders for Usyk. After all the punishment Joshua had dished out to Usyk in the ninth round, Usyk did the same to Joshua in the tenth, as he landed a series of hooks that stiffened Joshua’s legs and had him gritting his teeth in an attempt to stay upright.

The fight was won right there. Joshua’s tank was emptied and try as he might, as brave as he was, he couldn’t match Usyk in the last two rounds on his tired legs. It was the difference between victory and defeat. If Joshua had won one of the last three rounds, it would have been a draw.

Frustration quickly grew for Joshua in the aftermath, as he seemed to attempt to present two of the championship belts to Usyk, only to be held back by Usyk’s security and then threw the belts out of the ring. He then walked out of the ring and was halfway back to the dressing room before returning.

He grabbed the ring