Robert Garcia, the coach of the British ex-world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs), spoke in detail about the psychological state of the ward after the defeat in rematch to the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs).
Recall that immediately after the announcement of the unfavorable judge’s verdict, Joshua threw out the belts belonging to the opponent from the ring, wanted to settle scores with someone, went to the tribune room, but changed his mind and returned to the ring to make an emotional speech.
“When it happened, I was not around. I don’t know exactly how it happened,” Robert admitted. – When he grabbed the belts, I was sure that he wanted to congratulate Usyk and personally hand them over to him, recognizing Usyk as the champion. Well, or something like that. But then I saw him go to the corner of the ring and throw the belts on the floor. I saw some disrespect on his part.”
“When he returned to the ring, he apologized,” continues Garcia. “We both knew it was wrong. I guess it was a gesture of desperation, he just didn’t want to accept that he lost the fight. But in the dressing room, when we talked, we understood his frustration. I felt that he was trying to find an excuse for the people who support him. Any fighter can go through this. He exploded and acted like he shouldn’t have. But he figured it out right away, got back in the ring, apologized, and it ended well.”
- Where did Joshua fail in the rematch with Usyk: Garcia’s observations
Robert also told what happened next – away from the public eye, in the locker room.
“When he was in the locker room, changing clothes, I could see how disappointed he was,” recalls the coach. He couldn’t believe he lost. Of course he didn’t want to lose. He was still upset, but we were able to relax him a bit. Eddie Hearn has come to be with us. And what I liked was how quickly Anthony told him that he wanted to fight again and as soon as possible. He told Hearn that he wanted to fight in November. Hearn replied that he could agree to fight in December, but not in November. But Joshua insisted that he wanted to get back in the ring as soon as possible because he didn’t want to look like a loser. He said he wants to come back with a win as soon as possible.”
“That’s what I liked about him,” said Robert. – As a rule, after such a hard fight, a fighter wants to take a break for four, five or six months, forgetting about boxing. And only then return to training to fight in eight to ten months. Anthony wants to fight again in November, but Hearn is fighting for December. I also think that December will be better. Joshua behaves like a real warrior, and I like his attitude. If he fights in December, there is not much time left, only four months. He may rest for a few weeks, but we will continue training to be in the best shape by December.”
- Joshua after Usyk. Hearn on comeback date and potential rival
Source:
boxing scene
