Anthony Joshua threw two of Oleksandr Usyk’s belts out of the ring after rematch defeat

Anthony Joshua threw two belts to the ground and stormed out of the ring after his split decision defeat against Oleksandr Usyk. 

Under the scorching heat in Saudi Arabia, Joshua produced a valiant effort which saw him improve massively from the first fight. However, it was still no match as Usyk managed to defend his IBF, WBO and WBA titles. 

In the aftermath of the fight, a visibly emotional Joshua picked up two of Usyk’s belts, held them aloft before throwing them onto the ground in frustration. As he walked past Usyk after the incident, the Ukrainian looked puzzled as he stared at Joshua. 

The Brit then appeared to have been angered by something as he marched out of the ring towards the backstage. 

Joshua’s entourage then attempted to convince him back into the ring. 

Upon his return, Joshua was greeted by boos from the bemused crowd. The 32-year-old then spoke to Usyk briefly before demanding the microphone, he then erupted into a passionate speech about his boxing career. 

JOSHUA CONFRONTS USYK AFTER DEFEAT 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/vFTYbgCoPb

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) August 20, 2022

Joshua also praised Usyk and branded him as “one hell of a f***ing fighter”. 

He said: “Usyk is one hell of a f***ing fighter, let's give him a round of applause

“Sorry guys, look, if you knew my story you'd understand the passion.

“I ain't no amateur boxer from youth, I was looking at jail. I'm stealing this Usyk, I'm sorry but it's because of the f***ing passion.” 

"𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍!" 💯

Anthony Joshua takes the microphone to vent his frustrations before congratulating Oleksandr Usyk 🎤#UsykJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/KPlmjRDm4k

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) August 21, 2022

Usyk took to the mic after Joshua, when asked whether he felt he had won the fight, the Ukrainian said: “Yes, of course.” 

He continued: “I want to thank everyone who prayed for me.

“I want to thank God for the help that he gave me today because he did give me a lot today, my lord is Jesus Christ. Thank you Saudi, thank you, thank you, thank you so much, Inshallah.

“I devote this victory to my country, to my family, to my team to the military who are defending my family thank you very, very much.

“This is already history, many generations are going to watch this fight, especially the round where someone tried to beat me hard but I withstood it and turned in a different way.” 

"I devote this victory to my country!" 💙💛

Oleksandr Usyk's emotional post-fight interview after a 'historic' victory 👊 pic.twitter.com/ekXXN4DjtW

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) August 20, 2022

Usyk was then asked the million dollar question, whether he thinks Tyson Fury will make a return to the ring to fight for the chance to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion. 

He replied: “I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet, 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. Only God knows whether I will or not.”