Anthony Joshua absolutely lost his head after losing to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia
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Anthony Joshua stunned fans with his bizarre antics after losing to WBA, IBF & WBO heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk for the second time.
Despite an improved performance in the unified world heavyweight title rematch, which took place in Saudi Arabia, Joshua fell short against the slick Ukrainian and lost via split decision.
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It was a third professional defeat for Joshua and his post-match behaviour was very different this time around.
The two-time world heavyweight champion threw two of Usyk's belts on the floor in a disrespectful act, looked incredibly angry and stormed out of the ring.
JOSHUA CONFRONTS USYK AFTER DEFEAT 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/vFTYbgCoPb
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) August 20, 2022
Anthony Joshua’s rant after split decision loss against usyk guys vexed 🤣🤣 #AnthonyJoshua pic.twitter.com/kpW41mIcZo
— next upp (@Nextuppwegot) August 20, 2022
#UsykJoshua2 #RageOnTheRedSea #boxing #SaudiArabia #Usyk #JOSHUA pic.twitter.com/AgtnJRNu8A
— محمد (@mac_dior) August 20, 2022
“You’re not strong. How did you beat me?”
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) August 20, 2022
Anthony Joshua giving Oleksandr Usyk great credit for his boxin skill after the fight. Classy. #UsykJoshua pic.twitter.com/7x010E7M8n
Anthony Joshua's speech about Oleksandr Usyk is quite something #UsykJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/Rh01hdGSjN
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) August 20, 2022
Then, he headed back into the ring, grabbed the microphone and delivered an emotional, expletive-filled speech about his journey from jail to being world champion, as well as hailing Usyk's quality, firing back at criticism of his abilities and also discussing the situation in Ukraine.
And though it was an incredible fight from two warriors, Joshua's actions afterwards was the huge talking point online.
Anthony Joshua broke and turned into a combo of Elvis & Klopp pic.twitter.com/UzrayPQTGi
— RubenPastrami (@MaineRoad2004) August 20, 2022
Joshua having a meltdown here whilst simultaneously being classy. Utterly bizarre. Making it about himself whilst also making it about Usyk. Road man is coming out here.
— Combat Chronicles (@CombatCr) August 20, 2022
Anthony Joshua with the weirdest post fight speech I’ve ever seen. So unlike Anthony Joshua.
— Ash (@UTDAsh___) August 20, 2022
don’t think i’ve ever felt second hand embarrassment like i just have with joshua’s post fight speech/show
— jess 🪩 (@jesscumpsonx) August 20, 2022
Anthony Joshua like that fella at a wedding who decides to give a speech even though he wasn’t asked…
— Kick Off Merchants (@KOMerchants) August 20, 2022
Anthony Joshua just threw his respect down the drain after that post fight speech. What a sore loser 😅😂
— Zain (@ZainShake) August 20, 2022
I can't stop thinking about that Anthony Joshua speech there. It was like a car crash that I couldn't stop watching. He'll watch that back and drink a litre of Domestos. Absolutely horrendous few minutes. 😵💫😵💫🥊 #JoshuaUsyk
— Warbz (@softwareSwat) August 20, 2022
"Usyk is one hell of a f***ing fighter, let's give him a round of applause," Joshua said, addressing the fans.
"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.
"I'm not a 12 round fighter, I'm a new breed of heavyweight, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston - they say 'he doesn't throw combinations like Rocky Marciano,' because I'm not f***ing 14-stone."
British prospect Frazer Clarke, Olympic bronze medalist and a friend of Joshua, apologised on AJ's behalf during Sky Sports' post-match comments.
He also said that someone from his team should have stepped in and "saved him from himself" - claiming he would have even taken a dig from Joshua if it meant it stopped him.
Meanwhile former super middleweight Carl Froch said Joshua "stole the moment" from Usyk as his emotions boiled over.
Featured Image Credit: Image: Sky Sports
Topics: Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua
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