Anthony Joshua was filmed in a post-match altercation last night after he fell to a split decision defeat against Oleksandr Usyk, leaving him facing an uncertain future in the heavyweight division he previously ruled.
After the match, footage from IFL TV pictures Joshua walking back after the match. A bystander yells “keep it professional” and his mood immediately switches.
🗣 @AnthonyJoshua has explained his reasoning for storming out of the ring after his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.#AnthonyJoshua #AJ #UsykJoshua2 pic.twitter.com/SPV4FpJjTk
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) August 21, 2022
The footage captures Joshua yelling back, “who are you talking to?”
The former world champion was then escorted away by security. He later told IFL TV why he stormed out right after the fight.
He said: “I was mad at myself. Like anyone when you’re angry, you do mad things, so when I came back, I just spoke from my heart.
“Tonight there was a little crack in my armour and you just saw me upset.”
Usyk edged a thrilling contest 113-115, 115-113, 116-112 at the King Abdullah Sports Centre Arena to retain the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
After the fight Joshua confronted the champion, asking him how he won, then demanding the microphone to address the crowd.
“I am giving you my story. I was going to jail. I got bailed and started training my arse off, because if I got sentenced then I would not have been able to fight,” Joshua said.
JOSHUA CONFRONTS USYK AFTER DEFEAT 😳😳pic.twitter.com/gUJ15SmkXI
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) August 21, 2022
“I could have done better, but it showed the hard work he must have put in to beat me. Please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world.
“I’m not a 12-round fighter. I am a new breed of heavyweight. Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston – they say ‘he doesn’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano,’ because I am 18 stone, I am heavy.
“It is hard work. This guy here is a phenomenal talent. We are going to cheer for him.”
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