I really wouldn’t want to think you have been in this situation but if you have how you do feel when you fail a task again on the second time?
In boxing, like other sports, time and patience is very limited and another shot usually means a lot to both parties and this is exactly what happened to the former British heavyweight title holder knowing that was it for him and the Usyk chapter.
Following a devastating loss through split decision in the hands of Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk for the second time, Anthony Joshua delivered a bizarre speech on the microphone in Saudi Arabia.
Emotions and frustrations got the better of Joshua who I think felt he had no explanation to his loss as he threw two of Usky belts out of the ring and left for the changing room before storming back to the ring.
Taking the moment away from the Ukrainian, Joshua explained his passion for boxing, the war in Ukraine as well as heaping praise on his counterpart.
“…if you knew my story you’d understand the passion. I’m no amateur boxer from five years old that was an elite prospect from a youth. I was going jail, I got bailed and started training, I wanted to be able to fight.
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…”
Following his social media accounts you could see why Joshua appeared frustrated by the loss.
He seemed to be confident after more than eleven months of preparations after their first bout on 25th September 2021 in UK and boosted by the fact that he actually won the rematch of the fight against Mexican Andy Ruiz Jnr who had handed the Briton his first loss of his boxing career.
In a different event that proved the night was heavy for Joshua he was held by security after a bystander asked him to ‘keep professional’ and the 2012 Olympic medalist lost his cool shouting at the person; ‘who are you talking to? Are you mad?’ It’s sad to see the cool Joshua in such a meltdown.
He has however spoken for the first time in his social media accounts writing; “I wish Usyk continued success in your quest for greatness. You are a class act champ.
I had to mentally take myself into a dark place to compete for the championship belts! I had two fights, one with Usyk and one with my emotions and both got the better of me.
I’ll be the first to admit, I let myself down. I acted out of pure passion and emotion and when not controlled it ain’t great. I love this sport so so much and I’ll be better from this point on”. He took the loss but I’m sure Joshua will be back stronger.
