Oleksandr Usyk kissed the Ukrainian flag and looked to the Saudi Arabian sky as he waited to find out if he had retained his world title.
He pulled the flag over his face when he heard the winning words.
He was patrolling the streets of Kyiv with a rifle six months ago.
Here, inside the ring at King Abdullah Sport City arena, the still-undefeated Usyk had lived up to his billing as the sporting pride of Ukraine by beating Anthony Joshua in a close fight on Saturday to keep his titles.
The 35-year-old Usyk said through a translator that he devotes this victory to his country, his family, and his team. Thank you a lot.
After a five-month training camp, Usyk entered the arena in a blue-and-yellow top with the words "Colors of Freedom" written on it and supported by words of encouragement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The president said that they were sticking together. They help each other. What was destroyed is restored. We are all fighting for the same thing. It's definitely for Usyk, our guy, today.
Usyk was the favorite after he beat Joshua in the first fight.
The British challenger came into the second fight with a new game plan, which was to attack Usyk's body and keep the pressure on.
Usyk was taken to the limit in the ninth round by Joshua, who landed combinations and targeted Usyk's ribs.
Usyk came out hard in the 10th round and hurt Joshua with a right hook, forcing him onto the ropes for the first time in the fight.
Both fighters fell to their knees in front of each other on the canvas after the 12th round of the fight.
Joshua appeared to offer his assistance to the people of Ukraine.
In an expletive-laden speech inside the ring after grabbing the microphone, Joshua hit back at his critics and praised Usyk for fighting so well in the circumstances.
Joshua was studying the athletes from your country. I haven't been there yet. I don't know what's going on but it's not nice. Please raise your hand if you want Usyk to be champion.
Usyk was complimentary as well.
He said that this is history. When someone tried to beat me hard, many generations will watch. I turned it in a different way, standing up to it.
The Ring Magazine belt was won by Usyk. The only title that Usyk doesn't own is the WBC one, which is about to be occupied by Tyson Fury.
Usyk said he was sure Tyson was still alive. I'm certain Tyson wants to fight me. I won't be fighting at all if I'm not fighting Tyson.
Usyk was given it by two judges. The other fought Joshua.
Joshua lost for the third time in 27 fights and his career is in danger.
Usyk's future seems to be dependent on Fury.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia attended the fight. The crown prince has pushed for sporting events to come to the kingdom despite the fact that the U.S. intelligence agencies believe he ordered the beheading and dismemberment of a journalist.
That's right.
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