‘I’ve learnt my lesson’: Anthony Joshua insists he has ‘identified his mistakes’ after watching his shock world title defeat by Oleksandr Usyk back… and tells fans not to worry because his ‘spirit is strong’
- Anthony Joshua has broken his silence after his shock loss to Oleksandr Usyk
- The British heavyweight surrendered his titles after a unanimous points decision
- He thanked supporters for their well wishes and has been studying the footage
Anthony Joshua insists he has learnt his lessons from his shock heavyweight title defeat by Oleksandr Usyk.
The 31-year-old lost for the second time in four bouts on Saturday when the Ukranian was awarded a unanimous points decision at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Brit was visibly hurt by some of the punches from Usyk, and was nearly stopped by a late flurry from his opponent in the final round.
However, Joshua took to social media on Thursday to thank fans for their well wishes, while insisting he has come to terms with the loss.
‘I’ve watched the fight, analysed my preparations & identified my mistakes. I’ve learnt my lesson,’ he wrote on Twitter.
‘Thanks for sending love & checking in. Don’t worry about me. My spirit is strong!’
Joshua has been criticised for the manner of his defeat last weekend, with his own promoter, Eddie Hearn, questioning his tactics in the ring.
Anthony Joshua has broken his silence following his world heavyweight title fight defeat
‘I don’t know whether it was almost a rebellious thing where it’s like, “No, I’m going to go in there and outbox him”, Hearn told iFL TV.
‘Just a terrible idea, terrible idea. But don’t forget, Usyk negates things that you want to try and do.’
However, others such as Derek Chisora have defended the former Olympic champion.
The result does blow apart the future plans of those at the top of the heavyweight division.
The 31-year-old was soundly beaten by Ukranian Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday evening
Joshua had been on course for a title unification bout with Tyson Fury, but plans for the mega-money fight have once again been scuppered, much to the annoyance of Fury himself.
‘Usyk did his job well and good luck to him. I’m not saying much about Joshua because I don’t like beating up on people when they’re down,’ he said.
‘Was I p***** that he lost before our big fight? Yes I was. But if he’s going to get revenge he’s going to have do something very different in the rematch.’
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