FANS all said the same thing as Anthony Joshua’s team told him he was BEATING Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ, 32, succumbed to a split-decision defeat in their thrilling rematch in Saudi Arabia.
He went down 115-113, 113-115, 112-116 on the judges’ scorecards.
However, he was not helped by his corner telling him he was well in control of the fight.
New coach Robert Garcia and the rest of the team told AJ he was 3-0 up after three rounds – despite virtually everyone agreeing Usyk had taken at least one.
That could have meant AJ didn’t see the need to up the ante earlier to win on points – or go all out for a knockout.
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Incredibly, a similar thing happened in the first fight against Usyk.
His camp, led by Robert McCracken, also told AJ he was winning before losing on points.
And lots of fans watching from home last night could not believe the tactics in Jeddah.
One said: “Why did AJ’s corner tell him he’s up 3-0? That’s bad advice, even if he was.”
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Another wrote: “Poor tactics again from AJ. Tried to outbox a far superior boxer. Awful corner work yet again, too many voices and wrong information being given.”
A third added: “Is this a joke after the debacle AGAIN in the AJ corner? At one point saying he was 4 rounds up?”
Another user commented: “I think AJ’s team really failed him tonight. From not being honest with him in the corner about how things looked in the ring and allowing that outburst.”
And a final one replied: “Did AJ not get rid of his corner because they were telling him he was winning when he wasn’t then he’s gone and replaced them with another corner of yes men.”
Fans were also left stunned when the scorecards were revealed – with American Glenn Feldman somehow giving AJ the first three rounds and 5-1 up after six.
British judge Steve Gray did have AJ 2-1 up and 5-4 but the late surge from the Ukrainian ensured he sided with the champ.
After the result was announced, Joshua’s tempers boiled over as he threw two of the belts out of the ring then stormed off and confronted a fan.
However, he returned to talk to Usyk – asking him how he won – then grabbed the microphone and went off on a rambling speech, stealing the limelight from the champion.
And in his press conference, AJ broke down in tears as the emotion took over.
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He said: “Am I proud of myself? It’s really really hard for me to say I’m proud of myself.
“I don’t feel anything, I’m upset deep down in my heart.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
