The promoter of British ex-heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) Eddie Hearn commented on his defeat in a rematch with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) for the WBA/WBO/IBF titles.
Recall that the fight, which lasted all 12 rounds, ended in favor of Usyk by a split decision of the judges – 115-113, 116-112 and 113-115.
Eddie agrees with the referees.
“I think the fight was close. I think (final score) 115-113 (in favor of Usyk). Everything was very close to me. Perhaps Joshua was one round ahead after the ninth. Great performance from Anthony Joshua, Hearn commented in an interview.
Sky Sports. “They are both incredible fighters. Anthony was desperate to win and lost on points to the pound-for-pound leader. He needs to come back, rebuild, get rid of disappointment, and also be happy.”
The functionary also explained the emotional reaction of the ward to the defeat: “He is just a person who was put under a lot of pressure. It was devastated, so it exploded.”
Here is Joshua’s emotional speech after the defeat.
And here is what Usyk said immediately after the fight.
By the way, there is already Tyson Fury’s reaction to the Usyk-Joshua 2 fight.
