ANTHONY JOSHUA was left visibly fuming after defeat to Oleksandr Usyk – despite Vasiliy Lomachenko’s best efforts to console him.
Lomachenko watched ringside in Saudi Arabia as his close friend Usyk beat AJ for a second time.
And the double Olympic and ex-unified champion then appeared to congratulate Joshua on his performance.
But the beaten and distraught British star was having none of it.
Joshua said: “F*** that s***, good boxing has to win. F*** that s***.”
AJ is then seen irate in the corner as members of his team tried to calm him down.
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Joshua, 32, was beaten by Usyk, 35, last September but took his rematch to Saudi Arabia.
Although it was repeat, not revenge, despite AJ’s gutsy performance that saw him push the Ukrainian to the final bell.
Joshua was involved in a bizarre post-fight incident in which he threw Usyk’s belts out of the ring before storming off in a fit of rage.
When he returned, he congratulated the pound-for-pound star but only after a lengthy speech.
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AJ spoke about his late start in boxing after avoiding jail, how he is heavier compared to legends and Ukraine’s past wars.
Eddie Hearn later defended Joshua’s passionate words.
He said: “The reaction from AJ – he’s a human, so much pressure. He exploded, he was devastated.
“He’s a competitor and a man. He’s [Usyk] the pound-for-pound No1. They asked me, I thought it was close.
“I thought 115-113. I had it very close. Maybe AJ one round up after the ninth. A great performance from Anthony Joshua.
“They’re both tremendous fighters. [Tyson] Fury is a clever man, he could’ve fought Usyk, he chose not to.
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“AJ was desperate to win the fight. He lost a split decision to the pound-for-pound No1.
“He needs to go back, rebuild, get the frustration out, but also be happy.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
