43 minutes ago
Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua twice so far
British boxer Anthony Joshua said he was overwhelmed by emotion and let himself down with his eccentric style after losing to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Joshua was defeated in his second bout against the Ukrainian for the world heavyweight title.
After the bout, Joshua picked up two of Usyk’s belts, threw them out of the ring and walked toward the changing room, before returning to the ring to give an impassioned speech.
Joshua then tweeted, “I’ve let myself down.”
After returning to the ring, the 32-year-old confronted Usek saying, “You’re not strong, how did you beat me? How? You had the character and determination.”
Then Joshua took up the microphone and gave a speech full of swear words in which he talked about the fight and his shortcomings as a boxer.
He also spoke about several topics, including his troubles with the police as a teenager, the war in Ukraine, and his career, then led the crowd in saluting 35-year-old Usyk.
In his post-meeting press conference, Joshua said he acted this way because he was angry with himself. “When you’re angry, you might do stupid things,” he added.
In his tweets on Sunday, Osik, who also beat him on points last September in London, wished “continued success in your quest for greatness”.
“You are a great boxer, champion,” he said. “Yesterday I had to take myself to a dark place to compete for the championship belts! I had two fights, one with Usyk and one with my feelings and they both beat me.”
“I will be the first to admit, I let myself down. I acted out of passion and pure passion and when I don’t control it it’s not great. I love this sport so much and I will be better from now on. Salute respect.”
Joshua, who won the heavyweight gold medal in London in 2012, won his first 22 professional bouts, but has so far lost three of his five fights to win world titles.
Joshua hopes to compete again in December.
Meanwhile, Joshua said he has a “strong desire” to fight again and hopes to return to the ring in December.
Promoter Eddie Hearn wants Joshua to play three or four matches next year with the ultimate goal of becoming the Englishman who has won the world heavyweight title three times.
“I spoke to Eddie and asked him if it would be possible to play in November because momentum is important in boxing – but Eddie said in December,” Joshua said.
“If it’s about who I’m fighting, someone will come, let everyone come. Whoever wants to meet me in boxing can get that, I don’t mind.”