Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA suffered his second successive loss to Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.Joshua lost via split decision and many are wondering what his future looks like after his latest heartbreak.
Anthony Joshua could be set for another major fight after his loss to Oleksandr UsykCredit: Rex
AJ still has a few fights left in his DAZN contract so he is still expected to return to the ring in the near future.
A long-awaited fight against Tyson Fury looks unlikely as he seems a lot more keen to come out of retirement to face Usyk.
But there is a number of other potential opponents he could face to try and raise his stock.
SunSport take you through FIVE potential opponents for Joshua after his loss from Usyk:
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Dillian Whyte
Joshua could bounce back with another fight with Dillian Whyte, which could also turn into a trilogy.
AJ defeated Whyte in 2015 at the O2 Arena in London via TKO and his fellow Brit could be keen for some revenge.
The Villain could also be looking to raise his stock after his knockout loss to Fury.
Dillian Whyte could be a potential opponent for Anthony JoshuaCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
Deontay Wilder
Speaking of fighters looking to bounce back after a loss to Fury…
Deontay Wilder just came out of a trilogy with that saw him lose twice against the undefeated Brit.
The Bronze Bomber and Joshua have teased a fight against each other various times in the past.
Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua have teased a match in the pastCredit: Ryan Hafey/ Premier Boxing Champions
Daniel Dubois
Daniel Dubois always poses as an attractive all-British showdown for Joshua in the near future.
However, Dubois is the WBA champion’s mandatory challenger and therefore a match against Usyk is likelier.
That is if an undisputed title fight against Fury cannot be booked.
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Joe Joyce
Joe Joyce is also a likely opponent as he is currently enjoying an impressive undefeated streak.
Joyce has won all of his 14 fights, which included victories over the likes of Carlos Takam and Dubois.
But the Londoner is now focused on next month’s bout against Joseph Parker in Manchester.
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Andy Ruiz Jr could have a trilogy fight against Anthony JoshuaCredit: AP
Andy Ruiz Jr
This is another potential trilogy bout as each fighter holds a victory over the other.
Andy Ruiz Jr shocked Joshua in 2019 when he beat him via TKO and claimed the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Joshua exacted revenge almost six months later in Saudi Arabia but the two fighters may still have unfinished business. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA struggled to comprehend his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk and asked his conqueror: “How did you beat me? You’re not strong.”Joshua, 32, put up a valiant effort in Saudi Arabia to push the Ukrainian heavyweight champ all the way to 12 thrilling rounds.
Anthony Joshua questioned how he was beaten by Oleksandr UsykCredit: PA
He delivered his bizarre monologue in an angry mannerCredit: Sky Sports Box Office
AJ grabbed the mic and went on a rambling speechCredit: EPA
There was plenty of respect between the pair despite the strange endingCredit: AP
But the Brit was edged out thanks to a split decision from the judges.
And after sensationally throwing two of the world title belts out of the ring and then storming off back towards his dressing room, AJ turned around and came back to talk to Usyk.
They shook hands before Joshua launched into a slightly bizarre monologue at a confused Usyk.
It is unclear from his demeanour if he was giving Usyk credit for another strong performance in the ring or was having a go at his rival.
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AJ said: “I don’t care about being strong, I have that skill.
“Being strong doesn’t win boxing. Skills win boxing.
“You’re not strong. How did you beat me? How? Because of skill.
“I had character and determination. Where’s the mic?”
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Then Joshua got hold of the microphone and went into his long passionate, albeit slightly cringe-worthy, speech inside the ring.
He was very respectful to Usyk throughout – especially with the war in Ukraine – and again hailed his quality in the ring.
But he also went off on a massive tangent about his own backstory and journey, with many feeling as though he stole Usyk’s limelight following the defence of his world titles.
Joshua, 32, said: “If you knew my story you would understand the passion.
“I ain’t no amateur boxer from five years old that was an elite prospect from youth.
“I was going to jail, I got bail and I started training my a*** off, I wanted to be able to fight.
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“I’m stealing this Usyk I’m sorry, but it’s because of the passion we put into this.
“This guy to beat me tonight, maybe I could have done better, but it shows the level of hard work I put in so please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world.”
He then added: “I’m not a 12-round fighter, look at me.
“I’m a new breed of heavyweights, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey, ‘You don’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano’, I’m 18 stone, I’m heavy, it’s hard work.
“This guy here is a phenomenal talent, we’re going to cheer for him three times.”
He then got the crowd to awkwardly cheer Usyk, who watched on baffled.
I’m upset deep down in my heartAnthony Joshua
AJ broke down in tears during his press conference and was comforted by promotor Eddie Hearn.
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.”
Usyk, 35, wants to fight Tyson Fury next with all the heavyweight belts on the line.
When he finally got his hands on the mic after AJ, he said: “I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet.
“I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me.
“I want to fight him and if I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”
FURY TO FIGHT
Fury accepted the challenge and looks as though he could come out of his very brief retirement to take on the WBA, WBO, IBF and The Ring holder.
The Gypsy King said on a now-deleted Instagram post: “I’ve just seen Joshua lose for the second time to Usyk – out of his depth.
“However, England has been relieved of its belts. Yet again, as usual.
“There is a remedy and a solution that I can suggest. If you want those belts back then send in the Gypsy barbarian of England. Come on!
“Send me in. I will relieve the Ukrainian dosser of his belts like I did the last Ukrainian dosser.
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“But its not gonna be cheap. If you want the best you’ve got to pay, it’s gonna be very expensive.
“So get your f***ing chequebook out and I will relieve that Ukrainian dosser.”
Usyk won thanks to a split decision on pointsCredit: AFP
Usyk wants to fight Tyson Fury with all the belts on the lineCredit: Reuters
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ANTHONY JOSHUA had a heated backstage row with a fan after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk.Joshua suffered his second successive defeat to Usyk on Saturday at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua had a heated altercation with a fan backstage after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk
Anthony Joshua suffered a second loss to Oleksandr Usyk via split decisionCredit: PA
After the split decision was announced, AJ had a tantrum in the ring as he threw the Ukrainian star’s belts at ringside before appearing to storm off.
The British boxing star then decided to return to the squared circle to hijack the mic and deliver a bizarre speech to the audience.
There was also tension backstage once the 32-year-old made his way towards the dressing room.
Joshua was initially in a jovial mood as he was smiling and chatting with members of his team.
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But the mood quickly switched once a bystander was heard yelling at him to “keep it professional”.
The Brit didn’t take kindly to that statement and was caught on camera hitting back with an expletive-laden response.
Joshua lashed out: “Who are you talking to? Who the f**k are you talking to? Are you mad?”
Security intervened as they held him back and ushered him to the dressing room.
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It is not certain if the incident took place before or after Joshua returned to the ring to deliver a speech.
Usyk extended his undefeated streak, which has seen him win 20 fights throughout his glittering career. More

TYSON FURY has vowed to come out of retirement and take on Oleksandr Usyk in a blockbuster world title fight.The Ukrainian put on a masterclass to beat Anthony Joshua and defend his belts last night in Saudi Arabia.
Tyson Fury is ready to come out of retirement to fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: AFP
Oleksandr Usyk poses with his world titles after beating Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
Tyson Fury posted a now-deleted Instagram video accepting Oleksandr Usyk’s fight challenge
Usyk, 35, claimed it was either retirement or the Gypsy King next for him.
This morning Fury, 34, confirmed he is open to stepping back into the ring to win back his heavyweight titles.
He said in a now deleted Instagram post: “I’ve just seen Joshua lose for the second time to Usyk – out of his depth.
“However, England has been relieved of its belts. Yet again, as usual.
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“There is a remedy and a solution that I can suggest. If you want those belts back then send in the Gypsy barbarian of England. Come on!
“Send me in. I will relieve the Ukrainian dosser of his belts like I did the last Ukrainian dosser
“But its not gonna be cheap. If you want the best you’ve got to pay, it’s gonna be very expensive.
“So get your f***ing chequebook out and I will relieve that Ukrainian dosser.”
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Fury, who revealed it would take £500MILLION to get him to fight again, claimed he would beat both Usyk and AJ in the same night immediately after the bout in Jeddah.
After watching on TV with his family and friends on holiday in Menorca, he blasted: “After watching that, the both of them were s***e. It was one of the worst heavyweight title fights I have ever seen.
“It was bulls***. Come on!

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“I’d beat annihilate both of them on the same night. F***ing s***e.”
Usyk won via split decision to retain the WBA, WBO and IBF titles he won in London last September.
Fury’s last fight came against Dillian Whyte in April, in which he defended his WBC and Ring Magazine titles.
He has flip-flopped between retiring and carrying on since, and has until August 26 to officially vacate his WBC strap.
A fight against Usyk would see the heavyweight division unified for the first time since 2000 when Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA broke down in tears in his post-match press conference as he discussed his meltdown following his loss to Oleksandr Usyk.Joshua suffered a second successive defeat to Usyk via split decision at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Saudi Arabia last night.
Anthony Joshua broke into tears during his post-match press conferenceCredit: PA
Anthony Joshua explained that he was “mad” at himself after losing to Oleksandr UsykCredit: EPA
After the result was announced, AJ threw the Ukrainian star’s belts out of the ring before appearing to storm off.
The British boxing star then decided to return to the squared circle to hijack the mic and deliver a bizarre speech to the crowd.
The 32-year-old got emotional in his press conference as he explained this was “from the heart” and came as a result of him being “mad” at himself.
Joshua said: “When you’re trying to do things from the heart and everyone is just not understanding. It was just from the heart. I was mad at myself. Not anyone else just myself.
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“So I thought, I’ve got to get out of here because I’m mad. Like anyone, when you’re angry, you might do stupid things.
“I was mad and then I realised, ‘Oh s***, this is sport. Let me do the right thing and come back.’
“I just spoke from my heart. It’s been so tough. You see AJ holding it together, yeah, and I’m a hustler so I try put things together. Try work hard and put things together and make sure my team’s good.
“But it comes at a cost, a big cost. It’ll never break me, but it takes real strength for it not to break me. And tonight, there’s a little crack in the armour when I took a loss.
“And I think you just saw me just upset. And with the speech, I was just speaking about where I come from. I was on the roads, really.
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“And I made a transition to boxing that really changed my life and brought me closer to God and brought me closer to meeting so many people.
“And I just kind of laid it all on the line with my speech. But let’s not forget the champ Oleksandr Usyk. He put on a phenomenal performance as well. So credit to him.
“I can’t remember what I said in the ring because it was just so passionate. But I just want to say thank you to him for taking part in a great historical fight as well. It takes two to tango. I was just so upset.”
Usyk tried to calm Joshua down in the ring during his post-match tantrum.
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Anthony Joshua delivered a bizarre speech after his loss to Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
But the 35-year-old insists he has “nothing but respect” for his opponent.
Usyk said: “I didn’t feel much at this time when he was a bit frustrated. Just common emotions. It’s all good. We just need to communicate a little bit.
“The good things that he said about me is something that I accept. But I don’t accept it deep to my heart because I want to stay a humble person.
“I don’t want my pride inside me to go bigger. That’s something like that. I don’t believe in good words.
“I have nothing but respect for Anthony Joshua. I saw him a little bit emotional and I saw him pulling some of my team-mates and that looked like a bareknuckle fight.” More

THE shocking scorecards for Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk have been revealed.Joshua, 32, suffered a split-decision defeat to the former undisputed cruiserweight champion in their Saudi rematch on Saturday night.
Judge Glenn Feldman bizarrely scored Anthony Joshua the winner of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk
AJ turned in a much better display against the Ukrainian second time aroundCredit: AFP
But Usyk’s slickness and speed proved to be too much for him againCredit: AFP
But it would’ve been a clean sweep for the undefeated Ukranian had judge Glenn Feldman not turned in an outrageous scorecard.
The American stunningly scored the fight 115-113 in favour of Joshua – giving him the first THREE rounds despite the fact he clearly lost them.
Boxing fans were quick to comment on Feldman’s crazy card, with one saying: “In what universe does he give AJ round 12? What?!”
Another said: “Feldman had Joshua up 5-1 after 6. That’s a disgrace.”
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And another said: “Poor card to have AJ winning 115-113.”
One remarked: “That’s not even close to be a split decision. Don’t let him judge again please.”
Another chimed in: “Feldman must be high.”
A dazed and heartbroken Joshua went on a stunning x-rated rant after his second successive defeat to slick southpaw Usyk.
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And he opened up on his fiery antics in the post-fight press conference, saying: “When you’re trying to do things from the heart and everyone is just not understanding.
“It was just from the heart. I was mad at myself. Not anyone else just myself.
“So I thought, I’ve got to get out of here because I’m mad. Like anyone, when you’re angry, you might do stupid things.
“I was mad and then I realised, ‘Oh s**t, this is sport. Let me do the right thing and come back.’
“I just spoke from my heart. It’s been so tough. You see AJ holding it together, yeah, and I’m a hustler so I try to put things together.
“Try to work hard and put things together and make sure my team’s good.
“But it comes at a cost, a big cost. It’ll never break me, but it takes real strength for it not to break me. And tonight, there’s a little crack in the armour when I took a loss.
“And I think you just saw me just upset. And with the speech, I was just speaking about where I come from. I was on the roads, really.
“And I made a transition to boxing that really changed my life and brought me closer to God and brought me closer to meeting so many people.
Read More on The Sun
“And I just kind of laid it all on the line with my speech. But let’s not forget the champ Oleksandr Usyk. He put on a phenomenal performance as well. So credit to him.
“I can’t remember what I said in the ring because it was just so passionate, but I just want to say thank you to him for taking part in a great historical fight as well. It takes two to tango. I was just so upset.”
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