via Reuters
Boxing – WBA, IBF & WBO Heavyweight Titles – Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – September 25, 2021 Anthony Joshua in action against Oleksandr Usyk Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
via Reuters
Boxing – WBA, IBF & WBO Heavyweight Titles – Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – September 25, 2021 Anthony Joshua in action against Oleksandr Usyk Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Anthony Joshua took the loss to Oleksandr Usyk in his stride. Sadly for him, the former British heavyweight champion lost his belts to Usyk on Saturday night. Remarkably, the Ukrainian dominated his taller and heavier opponent with his superior head movement and quick feet.
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Post the fight, Joshua also claimed that in round nine, he could not see properly. Usyk swung a punch that landed on Joshua’s eye socket, causing it to swell up. When an interviewer asked Joshua what he learned from his second career loss, the former champion made some brutally honest admissions.
Loss calls for questions around the stamina
Joshua opened up on his feelings following his infamous defeat. Reflecting upon the match, he said, “It’s good to go to twelve rounds,there’s always that question around the stamina. So it was like a good twelve round, I get someone that’s lighter. I feel like it was a normal fully blown heavyweight, they probably wouldn’t last the full distance. Usyk done well with his movement. Like the eye as well, that didn’t make it easy.”
via Reuters
Boxing – WBA, IBF & WBO Heavyweight Titles – Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – September 25, 2021 Anthony Joshua in action against Oleksandr Usyk Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
‘AJ’ will look to invoke his rematch clause and fight ‘The Cat’ Oleksandr Usyk again. The Ukrainian now holds the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO world titles after scoring a unanimous decision victory, winning 117-112, 116-112, 115-113 on the judges’ scorecards.
Also read: WATCH: Oleksandr Usyk Returns Anthony Joshua’s Titles After Massive Win
Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight doubtful, says Frank Warren
In other news, Tyson ‘The Gypsy King’ Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, feels the highly awaited clash between Fury and Joshua may not take place. After watching Joshua fight against Usyk, Warren feels Fury would annihilate Joshua.
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Frank Warren on Tyson Fury's reaction to Oleksandr Usyk beating Anthony Joshua: "All Tyson could see was a massive fight going down the drain… I said to Tyson, 'Can you imagine, if you were in there with him, how long that would've lasted?'" [@talkSPORT Fight Night]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 26, 2021
“I don’t see it happening now,” Warren told BBC Sport. “If it did happen, what would Tyson have done to him? It wouldn’t have gone 12 rounds. Tyson would have destroyed him. Absolutely. The unification fight was there, such a big fight. Heartbreaking. What would Tyson Fury had done to Joshua? A better chin, bigger puncher,” he added.
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However, if Joshua ends up winning his titles back from Usyk in the rematch, would you want to see him take on Tyson Fury? Who do you think would win?
Watch this story: Event Recap: Best Moments From Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk
