Anthony Joshua admits to grieving after losses to Oleksandr Usyk and may never become undisputed heavyweight champion

British boxing star Anthony Joshua has opened up about his period of grieving following his two losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua lost to Usyk via unanimous decision in 2021 and then suffered a split-decision defeat in 2022. Admitting that he may never achieve his dream of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion, Joshua is now focused on his upcoming bout with Otto Wallin on December 23. A victory in this fight could potentially set up a future matchup with Deontay Wilder, provided Wilder also defeats Joseph Parker on the same card. However, Joshua understands that it may take him several years to regain the belts he lost to Usyk, as the titles will split after Usyk's fight against Tyson Fury on February 17.

Joshua's realization and the road ahead

Reflecting on his chances of becoming the undisputed champion, Joshua expressed his understanding that it may not happen anymore. With Usyk and Fury set to compete for the undisputed title, Joshua believes it could take him five to six years to regain all the belts and defeat all the independent champions. This timeline would likely extend his pursuit until he reaches the age of 40 or 41. Despite the setback, Joshua remains determined and focused on his next steps in the boxing world.

A period of grieving

Joshua also revealed that he went through a period of grieving after his second loss to Usyk. The emotional toll was evident as Joshua broke down in tears during a post-match press conference. He described the experience as a wave of passion and emotion, admitting that being in the undisputed race and striving to become a champion meant a great deal to him. However, Joshua has now come to terms with the fact that it is no longer part of his plan and is shifting his focus to what comes next in his career.

As Joshua prepares for his upcoming fight with Wallin, fans and boxing enthusiasts will be watching closely to see how he performs and what his future holds in the heavyweight division.