Oleksandr Usyk warns Anthony Joshua about 'bare-knuckle fight' with his team-mates
OLEKSANDR USYK has reacted to Anthony Joshua's bizarre post-fight antics on Saturday morning.
Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua: Tale of the tape
Oleksandr Usyk has warned Anthony Joshua following the Brit's extraordinary two-minute outburst after failing to reclaim the WBA (Super), WBO and IBF titles in their rematch in Saudi Arabia. Usyk won by a split decision after judges scored the bout 115-113 and 116-112 in his favour at the event billed Rage on the Red Sea.
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Joshua showcased a spirited, much-improved display, but it still wasn't enough to outclass the Ukrainian and recapture the unified heavyweight titles. And his behaviour after the clash stole the headlines, picking up two of Usyk's belts, dropping them on the floor and storming off to the dressing room. He then returned to the ring and engaged in a passionate conversation with Usyk before grabbing the mic and unleashing a bizarre speech.
"Usyk, one hell of a f***** fighter, let's give him a round of applause," said a clearly-emotional Joshua. "If you knew my story, you'd understand the passion. I ain't no amateur boxer that was an elite prospect. I was going to jail. I got bail and started training my a*** off. The f****** passion we put into this s***.
"Tonight, maybe I could've done better, but it shows the level of hard work he's put in, so please give him a round of applause. I'm not a 12-round fighter; look at me. I'm 18 stone, I'm heavy, it's hard work. What's happening in Ukraine is not nice at the end of the day. Usyk, as a champion, raise your hands. Under those circumstances, he managed to become champion."
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Usyk grew visibly impatient during the 32-year-old's rant but allowed him to say what he had to say before celebrating his triumph. But later in the night, Usyk warned Joshua to avoid rubbing his team up the wrong way because they would be 'horrible' to go up against in a bare-knuckle fight.
In his post-fight press conference, he told reporters: "I feel nothing but respect for Anthony Joshua, he was a bit emotional, and he was pulling some of my teammates. But I don't recommend him a bare-knuckle fight with them because they are horrible street fighters."
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Before the bout, promoter Eddie Hearn and Joshua himself described it as a must-win, so where the latter goes from here remains to be seen. His second defeat to Usyk marked three in his last five fights, permanently staining his reputation and legacy. His post-fight performance on the mic wouldn't have helped.
A dream meeting between Joshua and Tyson Fury for the WBC world heavyweight title now looks off the cards, but Usyk has The Gypsy King in his sights, saying: "If I'm not fighting Fury, I'm not fighting at all." Fury recently announced his retirement and has until August 26 to decide whether to relinquish the belt and step away for good.
