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      ‘I apologise on his behalf’ – Anthony Joshua’s team-mate claims someone should have ‘saved’ him from emotional rant

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA’S former team-mate Frazer Clarke apologised on his behalf for the Brit’s lengthy rant in the wake of losing to Oleksandr Usyk.AJ, 32, was beaten by Usyk for the second time in 11 months on Saturday night as the Ukrainian claimed a dominant split decision victory in Saudi Arabia.
      Anthony Joshua launched into a two-minute rant following his loss on Saturday nightCredit: Getty
      Clarke apologised on Joshua’s behalf for his speech after the defeat to Usyk
      Immediately after the result was read out, Joshua threw Usyk’s WBA and Ring magazine belts out of the ring before storming away in anger.
      He then returned to the ring moments later and grabbed the microphone, launching into a long speech about his journey into boxing, the situation in Ukraine, and Usyk’s incredible skills.
      Joshua received a backlash following the rant as some felt he had taken the limelight away from Usyk – who successfully defended his world heavyweight titles for the first time.
      And, as the coverage cut back to the studio, Clarke, who fought alongside Joshua on the GB squad when they were both amateurs, instantly took the opportunity to apologise.
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      He also questioned why nobody stopped AJ from getting on the mic just minutes after losing for a third time in the pro ranks.
      Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “As a gym friend and a friend in general, for anyone that is offended by what happened, I think I can just apologise on his behalf for the outburst.
      “He might be mad at me for saying this and the whole team might be mad at me for saying this, but I feel like he was left out to dry by the team. I feel like someone should have saved him.
      “It’s words but in the true reflection of boxing, that was Oleksandr Usyk’s time to celebrate that victory and he didn’t get to do it straight away.
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      “I just don’t think that was right but once again, Anthony is a great person, he does a lot for a lot of people, he’s done a lot for me, but I feel like he had a bit of a bad one there and it was out of character.
      “There were no excuses, that was Oleksandr Usyk’s time.
      “To the people around him, where were you? Someone should have jumped in there.
      “Someone should have stopped him and saved him from himself. It was only words, but it was the wrong time.”
      Joshua, who also dropped the F-bomb during his rather bizarre speech, explained the rant later that evening during his post-fight press conference.
      He 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.
      “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.
      “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.
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      “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.” More

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      Oleksandr Usyk responds to Tyson Fury’s claim he would beat both Ukrainian AND Anthony Joshua in same night

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      OLEKSANDR USYK has hit back after Tyson Fury claimed he could beat the Ukrainian AND Anthony Joshua in the same night. Fury mocked his heavyweight rivals following Usyk’s rematch win on points against AJ in Saudi Arabia.
      Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua in their rematchCredit: Reuters
      Tyson Fury is ready to return and fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
      Fury said: “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! I’d beat annihilate both of them on the same night. F***ing s***e.
      “Get your f***ing chequebook out because the Gypsy King is here to stay, forever.”
      Usyk, who wants to face Fury in an undisputed decider, had a blunt response.
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      He quipped: “That’s what he’s dreaming every day. I’m gonna beat his ass.”
      Fury, 34, announced his retirement from boxing in April after knocking out Dillian Whyte, also 34.
      But it has not taken him long to be tempted back, following Usyk’s win over Joshua – his second in 11 months.
      It would promise the sport’s first ever four-belt heavyweight unification.
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      And Usyk, 35, appeared to suggest he would be the one walking away if he cannot face Fury.
      He revealed: “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.”
      Oleksandr Usyk called out Tyson Fury after beating Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty More

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      ‘F*** that s***’ – Watch Anthony Joshua’s fuming reaction to Lomachenko as Ukrainian consoles him after Usyk defeat

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      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.
      Anthony Joshua consoled by Vasiliy Lomachenko
      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.”
      Promoter Eddie Hearn pictured with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

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      ‘There’s massive fights for him’ – Anthony Joshua has two huge opponents lying in wait for December, reveals Eddie Hearn

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA could return in a massive fight by December following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk again. The British superstar, for the second time in the space of a year, was beaten on points by the pound-for-pound No1.
      Promoter Eddie Hearn pictured with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      It leaves AJ out of the heavyweight title picture but still in line to face some of the biggest names in the division.
      Promoter Eddie Hearn told talkSPORT: “I’d like to see him back out. Maybe even in late December.
      “There’s massive fights for him. Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder.
      “There’s so many fights for him in the top [ten]. There’s even some Brits for him that are coming through in a couple of fights as well.”
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      “We’ve just got to see what he wants to do. It’s going to be a tough, tough defeat to take but he’ll be back.”
      Joshua, 32, beat Dillian Whyte, 34, in 2015 which came six years after losing their bout in the amateurs.
      And Wilder, 35, who returns on October 15, was a long-standing rival of AJ’s but the pair failed to agree terms in the past.
      Joshua lost the WBA, WBO and IBF titles last September on points and travelled to Saudi Arabia 11 months on for a revenge mission.
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      He had his moments and went out swinging over the distance but Usyk, 35, was just too good for the new and improved AJ.
      Hearn was quick to shut down any talk of retirement following defeat to one of the finest boxers in the business.
      He said: “People talked in the build-up about him retiring.
      “When you lose a split decision to the pound-for-pound number one, why would you contemplate retirement?
      “It’s about passion. It’s about if you still want it. You could see how much he wanted it by his post-fight interview.”
      Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in their rematchCredit: PA More

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      Tributes to Tyson Fury’s cousin Rico Burton, 31, after he’s knifed to death in ‘senseless’ attack & 2 arrested on murder

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      TRIBUTES have been paid to Tyson Fury’s cousin after the 31-year-old was fatally stabbed outside a pub in the early hours of this morning.Rico Burton died after the attack, with boxing legend Fury revealing the devastating tragedy in an Instagram post.
      Tyson Fury has told of his grief in a moving Instagram post after his cousin Rico Burton was stabbed to death in Manchester early this morningCredit: Social media
      The ace said Rico, once a promising young fighter, had been stabbed in the neckCredit: AFP
      The 31-year-old died in a brawl outside a bar in AltrinchamCredit: ASP
      Rico, 31, was reportedly knifed in the neck outside a bar in Altrincham, Manchester just after 3am, with a 17-year-old seriously hurt in what cops called a “senseless attack.”
      Two men, one aged 20 and the other 21, have since been arrested on suspicion of murder.
      Tributes have now been paid to Rico who had trained with Fury as a young man, before becoming a roofer. In more recent years, he’d been selling cars, friends said.
      Calling for an end to knife crime, two-time heavyweight world champ Fury said: “My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck.
      “This is becoming ridiculous – idiots carry knives. This needs to stop.”
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      The 34-year-old called on the Government to “bring back higher sentencing for knife crime”, adding: “It’s a pandemic.
      “You don’t know how hard it is until it’s one of your own.
      “Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick. Enjoy every moment.
      “RIP Rico Burton – may the lord God grant you a good place in heaven, see you soon.”
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      Steve Egan, Rico and Fury’s former coach, said he was “devastated” to hear of the tragedy.
      The 60-year-old, a coach at Jimmy Egan Boxing Academy in Manchester, said Rico had won two national titles fighting as a junior at the gym, and boxed at the gym until he was 19.
      He left the gym to look for a career in roofing and building work.
      Steve told The Sun: “I taught Rico, he’s a lovely lad. I’m devastated.
      “I feel like crying. I’ve known him and his brother since he was 13. What a talent, he was fantastic.
      “He was always a grafter, he worked hard and he worked so hard in the ring too.
      Rico’s mum will be devastated – it’ll finish her off… He was close with Tyson, they were best of matesSteve Egan
      “He was a fantastic fella, I used to call him our Billy Joe Saunders because he was such a good fighter.”
      He said there “wasn’t a bad bone” in Rico.
      “I could never see him getting in trouble with anyone, or starting trouble, he wasn’t that type of lad,” he said.
      “I’m absolutely devastated. It’s a coward’s game.
      “If you carry a knife you should get five years for just having it in your pocket, it’s just daft.
      “His mam is going to be devastated, it’s going to finish her off.
      “He was always smiling, he knows his boxing is bang on. He loves his mum and his brother and his cousin.”
      Superintendent Ben Ewart of Greater Manchester Police said that the two suspects remained in custody and that the families of both victims were receiving support.
      Describing the crime he said “this was a senseless attack” and confirmed that it had claimed the life of Rico Burton.
      He added that the younger victim was in a “serious but not life-threatening” condition is hospital.
      He could not confirm whether any weapons had been recovered or if the victims were known to the attackers, but described the attack as seemingly “spontaneous and unplanned.”
      He was also unable to confirm where exactly the attack occurred, but did say that it was at a venue in Goose Green and that the two men had been stabbed outside the pub.
      TYSON’S GRIEF
      Cops rushed to the scene of the slaying in Goose Green in the early hours of this morning after reports two men had been knifed.
      Rico was taken to hospital but tragically died a short time later.
      A 17-year-old man remains in hospital with serious injuries.
      No further information has yet been given, although police have confirmed a murder probe has been launched.
      Steve said today that Rico “had always admired” Fury.
      “Tyson was a hero to him and he wanted to be like him,” he said.
      “He was close with Tyson and they would spar together and were best of mates.”
      ‘HIS MUM WILL BE DEVASTATED’
      Family friend Eddie Nevins said: “Funny guy and a decent boxer, one we looked up to as kids.”
      Bar workers who saw the tragedy unfold have been left “shocked and shaken”, and Michael Edwards, who lives close by, told The Sun: “It’s really shocking when something like this happens.
      “It’s terrible so many people carry knives these days.”
      Rico’s death comes amid a wave of knife and gun violence across the UK, much of it focused in London.
      Just last night, four men were stabbed in Brixton. Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
      Earlier this week, 44-year-old Lee Byer was charged with murdering Thomas O’Halloran. The 87-year-old was knifed in Greenford as he rode his mobility scooter.
      Across the country, there was a 10 per cent spike in knife crime in England and Wales to March 2022 when compared with the previous year.
      In that timeframe, police recorded 49,027 knife offences – the largest percentage increase since 2019.
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      Knife crime has also surged by almost 50 per cent when compared to the year to March 2012.
      Fury, who was born in Manchester, comes from a big family. He and his wife Paris, 31, have six children of their own. They live in Lancashire, although the boxer also owns a home in Vegas.
      Fury shared the devastating news in a post on Instagram this morningCredit: tysonfury/Instagram
      Police at the scene of the fatal stabbing in Manchester overnight after Rico was killedCredit: ASP
      The ace has called for an end to knife violence, branding those who carry blades ‘idiots’Credit: Social media
      Friends say he and Rico would train together as young boxersCredit: Jamie McPhilimey More

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      Lennox Lewis tells Anthony Joshua not to ‘fret’ but calls for Tyson Fury to come out of retirement for Usyk showdown

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      LENNOX LEWIS believes Anthony Joshua still has a future despite his second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.Joshua lost to Usyk on Satuday in Saudi Arabia via a split decision but boxing legend Lewis insists his fellow Brit has no reason to “fret”.
      Lennox Lewis is confident Anthony Joshua still has a bright futureCredit: PA
      Anthony Joshua lost to Oleksandr Usyk for the second timeCredit: PA
      The 56-year-old is confident AJ, who recorded back-to-back losses for the first time in his professional career, will have more “big fights” in the near future.
      Lewis tweeted: “Great fight by Usyk. Congrats on the win. Definitely earned it.
      “Good showing by AJ too… don’t fret. There are still big fights out there we want to see.”
      But Lewis insists this is the time for Usyk and Tyson Fury to have an undisputed heavyweight title showdown.
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      The last undisputed champion in the division urged Fury to come out of retirement and give the fans what they want.
      Lewis added: “Hey Tyson Fury & Oleksandr Usyk can we finally give the fans an UNDISPUTED HW Championship fight?
      “19 years is a long time and fans deserve it! Let’s get it cracking!”
      And it seems like a unification bout is not impossible as Fury hinted he would return to the ring to take on Usyk.
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      The Gypsy King confirmed this morning he is open to stepping back into the ring to win back his heavyweight titles.
      Fury 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.
      “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.” More

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      Anthony Joshua reveals when he will next fight just hours after suffering devastating defeat to Oleksandr Usyk

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA reveals he wants to return to the ring in November or December just hours after suffering a devastating second loss to Oleksandr Usyk. The Brit was more competitive in his rematch with Usyk for the heavyweight titles.
      Joshua wants to return to the ring before the end of the yearCredit: Getty
      However, Ukrainian Usyk won the battle in Saudi Arabia via split decision.
      Joshua lost his cool post-fight, throwing two of Usyk’s titles out of the ring before storming off.
      He then returned to the ring to pay respect to Usyk, before dropping numerous F-bombs in an emotional speech.
      Many questioned what would be next for AJ should he lose to Usyk.
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      And Joshua has answered those questions by vowing to return before the end of 2022.
      Speaking after the loss, he said: “I will become three-time world heavyweight champion.”
      AJ added: “About who I fight. Come one and come all I will fight anybody.”
      With AJ saying he wants another chance at becoming a three-time world champion, former dominant WBC champ Deontay Wilder has claimed he was offered the chance to fight Joshua ahead of the Usyk rematch.
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      Tweeting after Joshua’s loss, Wilder claimed they tried to lock him in “for insurance” as AJ’s camp “knew he wasn’t going to win” against Usyk.
      Wilder said: “They tried to lock me in for insurance because they knew he wasn’t going to win.
      “This is strictly a business not a sport there’s a difference.”
      Whether Usyk will step back inside the squared circle with Joshua or have an undisputed fight with WBC champ Fury is yet to be seen.
      However, despite reaffirming his respect for AJ, Usyk called the Brit out for “bullying” his team, which could’ve ended badly.
      Usyk said: “I feel nothing but respect to AJ. I saw him a bit emotional and like bullying some of my team-mates.
      “That would be a bare-knuckle fight that I don’t recommend him to do because most of them are horrible street fighters.”
      Fury would be open to fighting Usyk and has called on those in charge of making the fight to get the “chequebook out”.
      The Gypsy King says following Joshua’s failed attempts to oust Usyk, he will be the man to “relieve the Ukrainian dosser of his belts”.
      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.
      “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.” More

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      Anthony Joshua lucky not to get beaten up by Usyk’s ‘horrible street fighting team’ after ‘bullying’ them, says champ

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA was lucky not to get beaten up by Oleksandr Usyk’s team as “most of them” are “horrible street fighters”, says the heavyweight champion.The 32-year-old Brit lost his cool after being defeated by Usyk for a second time.
      After the loss, Joshua threw two of Usyk’s belts out of the ringCredit: AP
      The Brit then went on mic and dropped an x-rated speechCredit: PA
      Joshua also told Usyk ‘How did you beat me? You’re not strong’Credit: Reuters
      Usyk says Joshua’s ‘bullying’ of his team-mates would’ve ended badly for himCredit: Getty
      Usyk retained his heavyweight titles with a win on split decision.
      Following the announcement of the result, Joshua threw two of Usyk’s heavyweight titles out of the ring.
      Joshua then stormed off, but shortly returned and dropped a WWE-style promo filled with F-bombs.
      The Watford-born ace also told Usyk: “How did you beat me? You’re not strong.”
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      However, Joshua’s behaviour hasn’t gone down well with Usyk.
      The Ukrainian, 35, says he still respects AJ – but says he was “bullying some of my team-mates”.
      Usyk said: “I feel nothing but respect to AJ. I saw him a bit emotional and like bullying some of my team-mates.
      “That would be a bare-knuckle fight that I don’t recommend him to do because most of them are horrible street fighters.”
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      WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury could be next for Usyk.
      The Gypsy King blasted Usyk and Joshua’s rematch and says he’s the man to “relieve the Ukrainian dosser of his belts”.
      Fury, 34, 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.
      “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.”
      Usyk won the rematch via split decisionCredit: Reuters
      Joshua had to be held back numerous times after the fightCredit: Reuters More