ANTHONY JOSHUA lost in his heavyweight title rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last night in Saudi Arabia.
AJ was defeated by split decision, largely giving a better performance than he did in the first fight, but the Ukrainian was much too skilled for the Watford man.
After the fight, Joshua threw down the title belts after the result was read out, and sparked concussion fears with a rambling speech in the ring.
And the night got even more emotional for Joshua, who broke down in tears at the post-fight news conference in Jeddah.
Usyk, meanwhile, called out Tyson Fury, who in turn has responded by telling those in charge of making the fight to get their chequebooks out.
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- Alex Cole
Punch stats – a look at the details
In terms of individual rounds, Usyk outlanded Joshua in nine of the 12.
AJ managed to land more punches in the first two rounds – but his only victory after that came in the ninth when his onslaught fell short of securing a stoppage win.
Usyk ended with a total punches landed of 170 compared with Joshua's 124.
But Joshua actually did have a marginally higher percentage of punches landed – 25 per cent to Usyk's 24.
However, it was ultimately futile as Usyk had his hand raised despite the judges scorecards being closer than many expected.
And the beating Usyk inflicted on Joshua in the final nine minutes will go down in history as one of the great heavyweight performances in the key, championship rounds.
- Alex Cole
Won and lost in the final three rounds
It was the champion's remarkable final three rounds which saw him clinch the win.
After a breathtaking ninth round saw Joshua rock Usyk and land 28 punches to the Ukrainian's nine, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion came out for the 10th and dismantled all hope of a British victory.
Usyk landed 39 punches in the 10th round – the highest number any fighter has ever landed on Joshua over three minutes.
And he then went on to land a further 23 in the 11th and 17 in the final round.
That totals 79 punches landed in the final three rounds – a spell which ultimately took the fight away from Joshua – with AJ landing just 29 over the same period.
- Alex Cole
Usyk lands first defence of titles
AJ suffered another defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
The Brit, 32, was outboxed by the magical Ukrainian as Usyk claimed a split decision victory – 113-115, 115-113 and 116-112.
- Chisanga Malata
Tears of joy
Oleksandr Usyk was overcome with emotion after registering his first defence of his heavyweight titles.
- Chisanga Malata
Hearn pays tribute to AJ
Eddie Hearn has paid tribute to Anthony Joshua following his loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
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A post shared by Eddie Hearn (@eddiehearn)
- Chisanga Malata
Furious AJ
This was the moment Anthony Joshua lost his rag after his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
He said of his actions in the post-fight interview: “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 shit, this is sport. Let me do the right thing and come back.’
- Chisanga Malata
Teary-eyed
Anthony Joshua was brough to tears in the post-fight press conference after being asked a touching question.
- Chisanga Malata
Tyson Fury speaks
Retired WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has had his say on Oleksandr Usyk's victory over Anthony Joshua.
- Chisanga Malata
AJ fumes
Anthony Joshua raged after being told to "keep it professional" as he made his way back to his locker room.
He said: "Who the f**k are you talking to?"
- Chisanga Malata
Usyk addresses AJ's rant
Uysk has had his say on Anthony Joshua's stunning post-fight rant.
He 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."
He added: "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 bare-knuckle fight.
"And I do recommend him to do that because most of them are horrible street fighters.
"I have 20 bouts and 20 wins at the moment. Some of my guys have 20 fights and 25 wins by the way of knockout."
- Chisanga Malata
Scorecards revealed
The judge's scorecards for Joshua's second successive defeat to Usyk have been revealed
- Chisanga Malata
Anthony Joshua addresses his post-fight rant
AJ admits his astonishing post-fight rant was the result of all the pressure on his shoulders.
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 shit, 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.
"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."
- Chisanga Malata
Usyk speaks
"I saw in round eight that he was feeling victorious already.
"And I kept telling myself, 'Keep calm, do not stop. You cannot stop. Do not stop.'
"Some big things were at stake. Thank God the belts are coming back to Ukraine and the victory is with us and Ukraine won."
- Chisanga Malata
Concussion fear
Training partner Frazer Clarke reckons Anthony Joshua's bizarre post-fight rant could've been the result of a concussion.
He said: "Maybe he was concussed. I would have taken a dog to take that microphone off him.’
"I apologise for the team, someone from the team should have saved him.
"Anthony’s a good person, it was out of character. Someone should have jumped in and stopped him. It was only words at the wrong time"
- Jack Figg
Lennox Lewis weighs in
Lennox Lewis has urged Anthony Joshua to come again – with plenty of big fights still out there.
He 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."
Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
- Jack Figg
Something Ant right
Fans and pundits feared Anthony Joshua suffered a concussion in his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
The former unified heavyweight champion flew into a fit of rage after suffering a second successive points defeat to the slick southpaw in their Saudi rematch.
He did, however, repeatedly praise Usyk for his display in their rematch in his x-rated post-fight interview.
Joshua's behaviour left many stunned, including training partner Frazer Clarke.
The Olympian said: "Maybe he was concussed. I would have taken a dog to take that microphone off him.’
"I apologise for the team, someone from the team should have saved him. Anthony’s a good person, it was out of character.
"Someone should have jumped in and stopped him. It was only words at the wrong time."
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
Usyk's emotional dedication
Oleksandr Usyk could barely contain his emotions after beating Anthony Joshua for a second time.
He said: "I devote this victory to my country."
Both AJ and Usyk held up the Ukraine flag after the fight.
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
Eye carumba
Anthony Joshua has been left with a bruised right eye following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ was bettered over 12 rounds for a second time and left the ring with some battle scars.
He said to UsyK: “This guy here is a phenomenal talent, we’re going to cheer for him three times.”
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
'Hung out to dry'
Frazer Clarke, who trains and spars with Anthony Joshua, feels his friend was let down by their team.
He said: "As a gym friend and a friend in general, for anyone offended in general by what happened, I think I can apologise on his behalf for the outburst.
"His team might be mad at me for saying this, but I feel he was hung out to dry there. Somebody should have saved him from himself.
"It's words, but in the true reflection of boxing, that was Usyk's time to celebrate that victory and he didn't get to do it straight away and I don't think that was right.
"Anthony is a great person and has done a lot for a lot of people, a lot for me, but I feel like he had a bit of a bad one there and it was out of character."
Credit: Twitter - Jack Figg
Tyson Fury breaks his silence
Tyson Fury has spoken out to slam Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua – while calling out the pair of them.
He said: "After watching that, the both of them work s***e.It was one of the worst heavyweight title fights I have ever seen.
"It was bulls***. Come one! 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."
Credit: AFP - Jack Figg
Joshua's speech in full
Here is what AJ said as he grabbed the mic, took centre stage and addressed the fans after losing to Usyk.
He 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 arse off, 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."
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."
Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
- Jack Figg
'Wasn't close'
Tyson Fury's uncle and former coach Peter has rejected claims the rematch was close.
He tweeted: "AJ a top fella but let’s be real here this fight wasn’t close at all.
"They need to watch it back. He don’t better and tried with everything but not enough scores where well out."
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
Conor hails Usyk… and slams Froch
Conor McGregor has reacted to Oleksandr Usyk's win over Anthony Joshua – and taken a swipe at Carl Froch.
He tweeted: "Usyk is some boxer. And froch is some w****r hahahaha."
Earlier in the night, he posted: "That froch tick little scrawny pencil neck I’ll grab his head and twist it clean off at a 1er with my bare hands.
"Little Wally of a thing I’ll Slap you around you little toffee nose toss pot."
Froch responded: "Who is this mouthy little p***k talking to? I will drag you outside with that wispy beard & show you how the big boys do it!!"
Credit: Pinnacle - Jack Figg
Ed's up Tyson
Eddie Hearn says not even Tyson Fury can beat the great Oleksandr Usyk.
And he admits the right man won tonight, despite Anthony Joshua's reaction appearing to suggest he disagrees.
Usyk also hinted he will retire if he cannot fight Fury, who has already hung up his gloves.
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
Usyk calls out Tyson Fury
Usyk has appeared to say he will retire unless he fights Tyson Fury for the undisputed title.
He said: "I'm sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. 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."
Credit: Reuters
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