Anthony Joshua broke down in tears during his post-fight press conference on Sunday morning, August 21 following his crushing defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
The British boxer was defeated by a split decision in his second meeting with his Ukrainian opponent in Saudi Arabia, following his defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September.
Why Did Anthony Joshua Break Down In Tears?
After the fight, the 32-year-old couldn’t hold back his tears when asked if he was still ‘proud’ of himself.
‘It’s really, really hard for me to say I’m proud of myself,’ Joshua admitted. I don’t feel anything, I’m just… I’m upset. Deep, down in my heart.’
The heavyweight boxer then visibly struggles to say anything else as he covers his face with his hands and is consoled by Eddie Hearn, who is sitting right next to him.
Anthony Joshua broke into tears during his post-fight press conference following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. pic.twitter.com/oJAuJzu9TF
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) August 21, 2022
‘I tried a different style. Previously in my career what got me through when I was beating people I have been beating… I was beating them off sheer hungry and passion,’ Joshua continued.
‘In the last fight I wanted to compete as a boxer but it wasn’t good enough and tonight wasn’t good enough.’
Emotions were clearly running high as Joshua tossed two of Usyk’s belts out of the ring and onto the floor after the fight then stormed back to shake Usyk’s hand.
Related: Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua, Retains Heavyweight Title
He then took the microphone and went on an expletive-filled diatribe about the fight, his career, and the present Ukrainian problem.
Joshua also led the sell-out audience in Jeddah in “three cheers for Usyk” and expressed his surprise that Ukrainian boxers can deliver title-winning performances when fighting in their own country.
Joshua is now set to take a break from boxing as he considers his next steps after suffering the most humiliating defeat of his career.
It’s his third defeat in five fights, following Usyk’s triumph over the Brit last year and Joshua’s surprise loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, which he avenged later that year.
A rematch with Englishman Tyson Fury now awaits Usyk.
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