Anthony Joshua speaks out after backlash over post-fight speech
Anthony Joshua says emotions got the better of him after taking to social media to explain a bizarre post-fight rant that left the boxing world in shock.
Joshua was criticised across the fight world after launching a wild rant in the aftermath of his split-decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia over the weekend.
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Usyk outclassed Joshua to clinch the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles in London last year, and produced another polished performance to deal the 32-year-old a further defeat in Jeddah on Saturday.
The Brit responded to the defeat in bizarre fashion, initially storming out of the ring and throwing a number of the heavyweights belts away as he left.
He was then overheard taking a swipe at his Ukrainian rival and questioning what went wrong for him.
"How did you beat me? You're not strong,"Joshua was heard asking Usyk.
Joshua returned to the ring and took the microphone and launched a wild tirade that left viewers completely gobamscked.
The Brit discussed his background and took a swipe at critics, before hailing Usyk's abilities and briefly touching on the war in Ukraine.
All of it missed the mark entirely.
Joshua - who has lost three of his last five fights - later went on to say: "When you're angry you do stupid things."
The next day, he took to social media to go into lengthy detail about how emotions had got the better of him.
"I wish Oleksandr Usyk continued success in your quest for greatness. You are a class act champ," he wrote on Twitter.
"Yesterday 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.
"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. Respect."
Oleksandr Usyk sets sights on Tyson Fury fight
Usyk cemented his spot as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world after defeating the British superstar for the second time.
While one judge gave the fight to Joshua, for most, it was clear the Ukrainian did enough to win the fight on points.
Joshua employed a different tactic from the outset in the rematch as he worked away at Usyk's body.
However, the speed and footwork from the Ukrainian was superior as he outscored the bulking British fighter for 12 rounds.
Following the win, Usyk threw down the challenge to Tyson Fury to come out of retirement and fight him for the undisputed world heavyweight boxing title.
The undefeated Fury announced in April that he'd hung up the gloves after making a promise to his wife, but had never made a secret of his desire to one day fight Joshua.
The Brit's promoter Frank Warren revealed earlier in the month that Fury was showing “itchy feet” to get back into the ring, and Usyk made it clear that not was only a fight against the 34-year-old that he was interested in.
“I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet,” Usyk told the crowd through a ringside interpreter when asked about a potential clash.
“I am 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.”
with agencies
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