The fighter held back tears as he spoke to the press
Anthony Joshua broke down in tears as he spoke to the media in an emotional post-show press conference that also saw him explain why he stormed out of the ring.
Overnight, Joshua, 32, lost his rematch with the undefeated Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, 35 in Saudi Arabia following a split-decision that ruled in favour of the latter.
With Usyk retaining his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles, the ruling stopped any plans for Joshua to face Tyson Fury in their tracks, and shortly after he exited the ring and took to the microphone to share his frustrations.
Now, a post-show press conference has seen Joshua holding back tears as he shared his thoughts on the matter, explaining that it his comments were “from the heart.”
“When you try and do things from the heart… it was from the heart,” he began.
“I knew I was mad at myself, not at anyone, just at myself.
“I thought I had to get out of there because I was mad.
“Like anyone, when you’re mad you might do stupid things.
“Then I realised, ‘S*** it’s a sport, let’s do the right thing and come back’.”
Also in the press conference, Joshua was asked whether he was proud of himself which prompted an emotional response.
“It’s really really hard for me to say I’m proud of myself. I don’t feel anything,” he explained. “I’m just… well, I’m upset really, deep down in my heart.”
It was here where emotion took over and Joshua’s Promoter Eddie Hearn continued to speak on behalf of his client.
Joshua’s impromptu and impassioned speech led many online to believe that the fighter could have been concussed due to its out-of-character nature. However others were quick to point out that he was clearly “exhausted and emotional.”
Meanwhile, a tense moment backstage saw Joshua react strongly to a comment from a bystander who said “keep it professional.”
Joshua quickly shot back with “Who the f**k are you talking to?”
It is believed the moment was simply misinterpreted.
Related links:
- Security forced to intervene after Joshua antics continue backstage
- Was Anthony Joshua concussed when he made his post-bout speech?
- ‘The both of them were shite’ – Tyson Fury comes out of retirement and calls out Oleksandr Usyk
