ANTHONY JOSHUA was unable to understand his defeat to Oleksandr Uzyk. He asked his conqueror, "How did I beat you?" You are not strong."
Joshua, 32, made a brave effort in Saudi Arabia to push the Ukrainian heavyweight champion all the way to 12 thrilling rounds.
Anthony Joshua asked Oleksandr Usyk why he beat him
His bizarre monologue was delivered in an angry voice
AJ grabbed the microphone and began a rambling speech
Despite the unusual ending, there was plenty of respect between them.
The judges split the decision and the Brit won.
After showcasing two world title belts, AJ stormed off to his dressing room and then turned around to speak to Usyk.
Before Joshua began to speak, they shook hands.
His demeanour makes it unclear if he was giving Usyk credit or waging war on his rival.
AJ stated: "I don’t care about being strong. I have that skill.
"Being strong doesn't win boxing. Boxing is won by skills.
"You are not strong. I don't know how you beat me. How? It's because of skill.
"I was a man of character and determination. "Where's the mic?"
Joshua grabbed the microphone and began his passionate, but slightly cringeworthy speech inside the ring.
He was respectful of Usyk all through, especially during the war in Ukraine, and he once again praised his qualities in the ring.
He also took a huge tangent about his personal backstory and travels, many feeling that he stole Usyk’s spotlight after the defense of his world titles.
Joshua, 32, stated that he would have understood the passion if he had known my story.
"I'm not an amateur boxer who was five years old, but I was an elite prospect in my youth.
"I was going into jail, I got bail, and I began training my a*** off. I wanted to be in a fight.
"I'm stealing the Usyk. I'm sorry. But it's because we were passionate about this.
"This guy beat me tonight. Maybe I could have done more, but it is a testament to the hard work I put into this fight so please give him a round.
He added, "I'm no 12-round fighter. Look at me."
"I'm a new breed heavyweight, Mike Tyson and Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey. 'You don’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano'. I'm 18st, heavy, it's hard labor.
"This guy is a remarkable talent. We're going three times to cheer him on."
The crowd began to cheer Usyk awkwardly, and he watched in awe.
AJ was unable to hold his press conference due to tears and was consoled by Eddie Hearn, the promotor.
He stated, "Am I proud to be me?" It's very difficult for me to say that I'm proud about myself.
"I don’t feel anything. I’m deeply upset in my heart."
With all the heavyweight belts in the line, Usyk, age 35, would like to face Tyson Fury next.
After AJ, he finally took the mic from his hand and said: "I'm certain that Tyson Fury has not yet retired.
"I'm certain, I'm certain he wants me to fight him.
"I want him to fight me and if Tyson Fury is not fighting me, then I'm not fighting at any."
FURY TO FIGHT
Fury accepted the challenge, and it looks like he could return to his brief retirement to face the WBA, WBO and IBF as well as The Ring holder.
On a now-deleted Instagram posting, the Gypsy King stated: "I've just witnessed Joshua lose for second to Usyk – out of his depth.
"However England has been freed from its belts. As usual, it happened again.
"There is a way out and a solution. Send in the Gypsy barbarian from England if you want to get those belts back. Get on board!
"Send me in. "I will release the Ukrainian dosser from his belts as I did the last Ukrainian one.
It's not going to be cheap. It's going to be expensive if you want the best.
"So, get your f***ing checkbook out and I'll relieve that Ukrainian dosser."
A split decision on points won Usyk victory
Tyson Fury wants Usyk to fight him with all his belts
