Anthony Joshua Throws Usyk’s Belts Out of Ring After Loosing in Jeddah
FightersTalkTV.com – Anthony Joshua showed a shocking reaction in front of 30,000 fans in the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia immediately after the result of his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk was announced. AJ who is losing a split decision on the judges’ scorecards, took the WBC and The Ring belts from Usyk and threw them out of the ring.
An emotional Joshua let his disappointment get the better of him as he confronted members of Usyk’s team before he showed his disrespect and conducted a bizarre post-fight speech. Instead of being angry, Usyk showed his gentle attitude and character as a true champion in a very calm way.
The 32-year-old, who later hailed Usyk as a “generational champion’’, remonstrated with his team as he left the ring. He then decided to return to the squared circle to shake hands with his opponent.
But as they talked in the ring, AJ said: “I don’t care about strong, I have to have skill.
“Being strong doesn’t win boxing. Skills win boxing. You’re not strong. How did you beat me? How? Because of skill.
“I had character and determination. Where’s the mic?”
A clearly emotional Joshua grab the microphone and address the crowd with a bizarre speech.
“Usyk, one hell of a f***ing fighter, let’s give him a round of applause. That’s just emotion. If you knew my story, you would understand my passion,” Joshua said at the start of his rant.
“I ain’t no f***ing amateur boxer from five years old that was an elite prospect from a youth. I was going to jail. I got bail and started training my ass off, because if I got sentenced, I wouldn’t be able to fight.”
“The f***ing passion we put into this s**t, man. This guy, to beat me tonight, maybe I could have done better, but it shows the levels of hard work he must have put in, so please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world. Woo! Motherf****r!
“I’m not a 12-round fighter. Look at me! I’m a new breed of heavyweights. All them heavyweights — Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey. ‘Oh, you don’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano.’ ‘Cause I ain’t f***in’ 14 stone, that’s why! I’m 18 stone and I’m heavy! It’s hard work! This guy here is a phenomenal talent,” he went on.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 | Usyk Retained His Domination in Heavyweight After Win Against Anthony Joshua
“I was studying Ukraine and all the champions that have come from your amazing country. I ain’t never been there, but at the same time, what’s happening there is — I don’t know what’s happening, but it’s not nice at the end of the day,” Joshua told Usyk.
Joshua also conducted a bizarre post-fight speech after slumping to his third career defeat
Joshua also conducted a bizarre post-fight speech after slumping to his third career defeat.
“For Usyk to be champion, under those circumstances … it’s incredible,” he concluded.
“This guy here is a phenomenal talent, we’re going to cheer for him three times.”
He then got the crowd to awkwardly cheer Usyk, who watched on baffled. Many felt the Brit was disrespectful to chuck two of Usyk’s belts in the heat of the moment.
AJ Tears in Press Conference
During the post-fight press conference, Joshua broke down in tears and was comforted by his promoter Eddie Hearn.
“Am I proud of myself? It’s really really hard for me to say I’m proud of myself. I don’t feel anything, I’m upset deep down in my heart,” said Joshua.
Promoter Eddie Hearn comforts an emotional Anthony Joshua during the post-fight press conference.
Promoter Eddie Hearn comforts an emotional Anthony Joshua during the post-fight press conference. (Photo: Francois Nel/GETTY IMAGES)
‘I’ll be the first to admit, I let myself down. I acted out of pure passion and emotion and when not controlled it ain’t great. I love this sport so, so much and I’ll be better from this point on.
“I had to mentally take myself into a dark place to compete for the championship belts. I had two fights, one with Usyk and one with my emotions and both got the better of me.
“It was just from the heart. I was mad at myself. Not at anyone, just at myself. Like anyone, when you’re angry you might do stupid things, so I was mad.
“But then I realized, “Oh s***, this is sport, let me do the right thing and come back”. I just spoke from my heart,” closed Joshua.
While Usyk is determined to fight Tyson Fury next.
“I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet,” said Usyk when he did finally get his hands on the mic.
“I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me.
“I want to fight him and if I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk, Is That Gonna Be Happen?
In a class billed as the Rage On The Red Sea, Oleksandr Usyk stopped Anthony Joshua in their 12-rounds rematch at the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia, Saturday night. Usyk won by a split decision where two judges scored 115-113 and 116-112, while the third gave Joshua 115-113.
The Ukrainian still dominates the heavyweight division in the top five world sanctioning organizations after he retains his WBA (Super), WBO, IBO, and IBF titles. He also took home The Ring title after it was vacated by Tyson Fury following his retirement.
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