EDDIE HEARN believed that Anthony Joshua was poised to defeat Oleksandr Usyk in the ninth round of their rematch Saturday night.
The Matchroom chief watched his man rock Usyk, only for the Ukrainian to come back in round ten.
In their rematch, Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua
Eddie Hearn believed that Usyk was going to be finished by his man
Hearn, 43 years old, admitted that AJ was deservedly beaten in the first round by Usyk... but he believed it was about to end in his favor in round nine.
Hearn spoke to Sky Sports Box office and stated: "Firstly, Oleksandr Usyk has given a great performance.
"In the ninth round, I ran over, and I thought we had him.
"The tenth round was one the best rounds I've ever seen to turn the left, not backwards because it was very close. But what Usyk did the tenth, eleventh and 12th rounds was amazing and that was the difference.
Although AJ did not start quickly enough, he fought a better fight. I thought he would come on strong in the ninth, but Usyk came out looking like a train. That tenth round was when he decided to win the fight.
It was an amazing performance. It's a shame that he's so talented.
"The tenth and eleventh rounds, that's why they're the pound-for pound No1."
Hearn replied, "I felt it was. Usyk wins 115 to 113
"They asked me my thoughts when I received (the ring)".
"They thought it was close. I thought it was close. But I felt Usyk won because of the tenth (the 11th) and the 12th.
"I had it very close going into those rounds, possibly AJ one up after the ninth round, but the championship rounds showed a champion fighter, a pound for pound great, and that was what made the difference.
"It was a great performance by Anthony Joshua."
After the fight, AJ (32 years old) was criticized for taking the microphone and giving an impromptu speech.
Hearn, however, believes that his fighter's reaction was "human".
He stated: "You could see the reaction of AJ. That was from a human being who wanted to win with so much pressure on him shoulders.
"I believe he just exploded from losing and was devastated. He's tried everything to win this fight.
"He could not win the fight, but he's still a competitor. He's a winner, but this man is too good."
