Joshua rages after losing world heavyweight title fight against Usyk in Saudi Arabia

Anthony Joshua fell to an agonising split decision defeat by Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia to leave him facing an uncertain future in the heavyweight division he previously ruled.

Usyk edged a thrilling contest 113-115, 115-113, 116-112 at the King Abdullah Sports Centre Arena in Jeddah to complete a second successive victory over Joshua and retain the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.

The all-out assault many were calling for never materialised, but Joshua’s performance was far superior to that passive night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium almost a year ago when he surrendered the belts in such disappointing fashion.

Joshua angrily stormed out of the ring after the fight, before returning to rant at Usyk: “Skills win boxing, you’re not strong, how did you beat me? I had character!"

Joshua then grabbed the microphone and addressed the crowd, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“I am giving you my story,” the Briton said. “I was going to jail. I got bailed and started training, because if I got sentenced then I would not have been able to fight.

“I could have done better, but it showed the hard work he must have put in to beat me. Please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world.

“I’m not a 12-round fighter. I am a new breed of heavyweight, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston – they say ‘he doesn’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano,’ because I am 18 stone, I am heavy.

“It is hard work. This guy here is a phenomenal talent. We are going to cheer for him.”

The 35-year-old Usyk kept his belts six months after serving in the Ukrainian army as part of the country’s defence against Russia’s invasion.

Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after beating Britain's Anthony Joshua. AP

Both boxers looked exhausted