EDDIE HEARN revealed the intense conversation he had with Anthony Joshua following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ was beaten on a split-decision in Saudi Arabia by Usyk, 11 months after first losing to the Ukrainian.
Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia
Joshua was left visibly devastated by the result and was seen fuming in the ring afterwards, even chucking the champion’s belt out the ring.
That came before the British superstar produced a bizarre speech, which he later apologised for.
Now his promoter Hearn had given an insight into what happened when he went to console AJ backstage.
Hearn told the Daily Mail: “He didn’t want a conversation, it was that sort of vibe.
“We went back into the changing room and he was extremely frustrated.
“I actually went over to talk to him and to everyone he was like, ‘Leave me alone’.
“I said, ‘No, I won’t leave you alone. I’ve got to tell you, you boxed well’. He said, “No I f****** didn’t box well, I lost”.
“I said, ‘No, you boxed well. In the first fight, you didn’t box well, and I’ve told you that. But after nine rounds, I was convinced you were going to win this fight’.
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“Usyk was amazing in the 10th, 11th and 12th rounds, and the better man won, but Joshua took him all the way.”
Usyk, 35, is now set to face Tyson Fury, 34, in the heavyweight division’s first-ever four-belt undisputed title bout.
Meanwhile Joshua, 32, is braced to return in December in the UK with a rematch against Dillian Whyte, 34, mentioned for the summer.
AJ has also been tipped to fight around the world, including the Middle East, Far East and America.
Hearn added: “Now Joshua is in control of his own future.
“We can fight who we want, when we want, where we want. Let’s go on an AJ world tour.”
Anthony Joshua is set to return in December following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
