Oleksandr Usyk was ‘mentally stronger’ than Anthony Joshua: AJ’s trainer

Oleksandr Usyk was “mentally stronger” than Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight title fight last Saturday, Joshua’s trainer said.

Anthony Joshua’s trainer said his fighter was “mentally defeated” by Round 10 of his split-decision loss to heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk last Saturday.

Robert Garcia told Izquierdazo that Joshua came close to winning the rematch in the ninth round, when he seemed to hurt Usyk, but the Ukrainian’s ability to bounce back in the following round gave Joshua only a puncher’s chance down the stretch.

Usyk won the final three rounds on two of the scorecards and two of three on the third card, which gave him the victory. He won 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115.

“Joshua was mentally defeated since round 10 or 11,” Garcia said. “Round 10 was a big one for Usyk. That changed the whole fight, and mentally we were defeated. At that point, we were relying on a good shot or something like that, because Anthony is a hard puncher, and one shot can change a fight.

“That is what we were hoping for, one shot, because he (Joshua) was dominated at that point of the fight.”

He went on: “The fight was going well for us, but the 10th round changed everything. The last three rounds of the fight were the ones that changed the fight. In the ninth round we were close to winning, perhaps even by knockout. Through Round 9, we were winning the fight on the judges’ scorecards, but it was decided in the last rounds.

“Usyk is a great fighter, with a tremendous heart, who knows how to finish strong, like champions do.”

Garcia said he believed Joshua would win the fight as he watched the ninth round. In retrospect, he thinks Joshua might’ve expended too much energy in an effort to finish off Usyk.

“During that ninth round, me and the guys in the corner were telling to ourselves that we had the fight,” Garcia said. “But nothing is secured until the final bell. Usyk came back stronger in the 10th round, and that changed the fight. I have even thought in these last few days that it was Anthony Joshua who mentally defeated himself.”

“In the ninth, Joshua threw a lot of punches, and almost put Usyk out,” he added. “Maybe, he emptied out, but maybe it was just that Usyk came stronger and more motivated to the 10th round, we don’t know.”

In the end, Garcia said, the fight came down to determination.

“In this fight, I think that Usyk was mentally stronger,” he said. “I think he was stronger, to the point that after being close to a knockout, instead of giving up, he came back stronger. His will and his desire to demonstrate to his country that he couldn’t let himself lose the fight, made him come back.

“He wanted to give a message to his country, for everything that is happening there. He is a big inspiration for them (Ukrainians). His mind was what made him turn the tide in the fight and get him to victory. And I think that Anthony’s mind is a bit weaker than Usyk’s, because instead of going out stronger, his mind and exhaustion play games with him.”

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Oleksandr Usyk was ‘mentally stronger’ than Anthony Joshua: AJ’s trainer

Oleksandr Usyk was “mentally stronger” than Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight title fight last Saturday, Joshua’s trainer said.

Anthony Joshua’s trainer said his fighter was “mentally defeated” by Round 10 of his split-decision loss to heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk last Saturday.

Robert Garcia told Izquierdazo that Joshua came close to winning the rematch in the ninth round, when he seemed to hurt Usyk, but the Ukrainian’s ability to bounce back in the following round gave Joshua only a puncher’s chance down the stretch.

Usyk won the final three rounds on two of the scorecards and two of three on the third card, which gave him the victory. He won 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115.

“Joshua was mentally defeated since round 10 or 11,” Garcia said. “Round 10 was a big one for Usyk. That changed the whole fight, and mentally we were defeated. At that point, we were relying on a good shot or something like that, because Anthony is a hard puncher, and one shot can change a fight.

“That is what we were hoping for, one shot, because he (Joshua) was dominated at that point of the fight.”

He went on: “The fight was going well for us, but the 10th round changed everything. The last three rounds of the fight were the ones that changed the fight. In the ninth round we were close to winning, perhaps even by knockout. Through Round 9, we were winning the fight on the judges’ scorecards, but it was decided in the last rounds.

“Usyk is a great fighter, with a tremendous heart, who knows how to finish strong, like champions do.”

Garcia said he believed Joshua would win the fight as he watched the ninth round. In retrospect, he thinks Joshua might’ve expended too much energy in an effort to finish off Usyk.

“During that ninth round, me and the guys in the corner were telling to ourselves that we had the fight,” Garcia said. “But nothing is secured until the final bell. Usyk came back stronger in the 10th round, and that changed the fight. I have even thought in these last few days that it was Anthony Joshua who mentally defeated himself.”

“In the ninth, Joshua threw a lot of punches, and almost put Usyk out,” he added. “Maybe, he emptied out, but maybe it was just that Usyk came stronger and more motivated to the 10th round, we don’t know.”

In the end, Garcia said, the fight came down to determination.

“In this fight, I think that Usyk was mentally stronger,” he said. “I think he was stronger, to the point that after being close to a knockout, instead of giving up, he came back stronger. His will and his desire to demonstrate to his country that he couldn’t let himself lose the fight, made him come back.

“He wanted to give a message to his country, for everything that is happening there. He is a big inspiration for them (Ukrainians). His mind was what made him turn the tide in the fight and get him to victory. And I think that Anthony’s mind is a bit weaker than Usyk’s, because instead of going out stronger, his mind and exhaustion play games with him.”

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Tyson Fury co-promoter convinced fight with Oleksandr Usyk ‘will be made’

Tyson Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren believes that Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk “will be made” because both men want the fight.

One central figure believes a fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship will happen.

Frank Warren, Fury’s longtime co-promoter, told BBC Radio 5 Monday that he believes the showdown will take place primarily because both men want it.

Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua by a split decision in their rematch to retain his IBF, WBA and WBO titles Saturday. Fury holds the WBC belt.

“He and Usyk would be a really good fight,” Warren said. “It’s a fight that I think will be made because both teams would like to see that happen. Usyk said after the fight that it’s the only fight he’s interested in, and it’s certainly the same case with Tyson. It’s just a matter of where it will generate the most income because it’s a unique fight, a historic fight.

“It’s the first time for God knows how long that the four belts are on the line. Both fighters are undefeated. The whole world of boxing will be captivated by this fight.”

Warren, who believes Fury will beat Usyk, also said that a long-anticipated fight between Fury and Joshua could still take place.

“If AJ manages to get a couple of wins under his belt, and I believe Tyson will beat Usyk, that may be a fight to be made,” he said. “But AJ’s got to re-establish himself before you can even think about fights like that.”

Usyk said immediately after the his victory that, “I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I don’t fight Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”

And Fury, who had teased retirement, made it clear on social media after the decision was announced Saturday that he feels the same way.

“Get your f—ing check book out,” he said, “because the Gypsy King is here forever.”

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Tyson Fury co-promoter convinced fight with Oleksandr Usyk ‘will be made’

Tyson Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren believes that Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk “will be made” because both men want the fight.

One central figure believes a fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship will happen.

Frank Warren, Fury’s longtime co-promoter, told BBC Radio 5 Monday that he believes the showdown will take place primarily because both men want it.

Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua by a split decision in their rematch to retain his IBF, WBA and WBO titles Saturday. Fury holds the WBC belt.

“He and Usyk would be a really good fight,” Warren said. “It’s a fight that I think will be made because both teams would like to see that happen. Usyk said after the fight that it’s the only fight he’s interested in, and it’s certainly the same case with Tyson. It’s just a matter of where it will generate the most income because it’s a unique fight, a historic fight.

“It’s the first time for God knows how long that the four belts are on the line. Both fighters are undefeated. The whole world of boxing will be captivated by this fight.”

Warren, who believes Fury will beat Usyk, also said that a long-anticipated fight between Fury and Joshua could still take place.

“If AJ manages to get a couple of wins under his belt, and I believe Tyson will beat Usyk, that may be a fight to be made,” he said. “But AJ’s got to re-establish himself before you can even think about fights like that.”

Usyk said immediately after the his victory that, “I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I don’t fight Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”

And Fury, who had teased retirement, made it clear on social media after the decision was announced Saturday that he feels the same way.

“Get your f—ing check book out,” he said, “because the Gypsy King is here forever.”

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Anthony Joshua expresses regret for behavior after loss to Oleksandr Usyk

Anthony Joshua expressed regret for his behavior after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Anthony Joshua went to social media Sunday night to express regret for his behavior after he lost a split decision to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Joshua grabbed the mic after the decision was announced and went on an expletive-filled rant. He also threw two of Usyk’s belts out of the ring.

“I wish @usykaa continued success in your quest for greatness,” Joshua tweeted. “You are a class act champ. Yesterday I had to mentally take myself into a dark place to compete for the championship belts! I had two fights, one with Usyk and one with my emotions and both got the better of me.”

He also said: “I’ll be the first to admit, I let my self down. I acted out of pure passion and emotion and when not controlled it ain’t great. I love this sport so so much and I’ll be better from this point on. Respect.”

Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) defeated Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115 to retain the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles.

The Ukrainian had taken Joshua’s belts by a unanimous decision last September.

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Anthony Joshua expresses regret for behavior after loss to Oleksandr Usyk

Anthony Joshua expressed regret for his behavior after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Anthony Joshua went to social media Sunday night to express regret for his behavior after he lost a split decision to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Joshua grabbed the mic after the decision was announced and went on an expletive-filled rant. He also threw two of Usyk’s belts out of the ring.

“I wish @usykaa continued success in your quest for greatness,” Joshua tweeted. “You are a class act champ. Yesterday I had to mentally take myself into a dark place to compete for the championship belts! I had two fights, one with Usyk and one with my emotions and both got the better of me.”

He also said: “I’ll be the first to admit, I let my self down. I acted out of pure passion and emotion and when not controlled it ain’t great. I love this sport so so much and I’ll be better from this point on. Respect.”

Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) defeated Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115 to retain the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles.

The Ukrainian had taken Joshua’s belts by a unanimous decision last September.

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Tyson Fury makes it clear that he wants to fight Oleksandr Usyk

Tyson Fury got onto social media immediately after Oleksandr Usyk defeated Anthony Josua in their rematch to retain the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles and made it clear what his intentions are. The WBC beltholder, who has been teasing …

Tyson Fury got onto social media immediately after Oleksandr Usyk defeated Anthony Josua in their rematch to retain the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles and made it clear what his intentions are.

The WBC beltholder, who has been teasing retirement, wants to fight Usyk for the undisputed championship.

“Get your f—ing checkbook out because the Gypsy King is here forever,” he said.

Fury also didn’t hold back in criticizing the fighters and the bout on Saturday.

“The both of them were s—,” he said. “It was one of the worst heavyweight title fights I have ever seen. It was bull—-. … I could beat both of them on the same night. It was s—.”

Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) is coming off a sixth-round knockout of Dillian Whyte in April, after which he has gone back and forth on retirement.

Most people thought he was just talking, biding his time until the fight on Saturday. Now we know that’s exactly what he was doing.

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Tyson Fury makes it clear that he wants to fight Oleksandr Usyk

Tyson Fury got onto social media immediately after Oleksandr Usyk defeated Anthony Josua in their rematch to retain the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles and made it clear what his intentions are. The WBC beltholder, who has been teasing …

Tyson Fury got onto social media immediately after Oleksandr Usyk defeated Anthony Josua in their rematch to retain the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles and made it clear what his intentions are.

The WBC beltholder, who has been teasing retirement, wants to fight Usyk for the undisputed championship.

“Get your f—ing checkbook out because the Gypsy King is here forever,” he said.

Fury also didn’t hold back in criticizing the fighters and the bout on Saturday.

“The both of them were s—,” he said. “It was one of the worst heavyweight title fights I have ever seen. It was bull—-. … I could beat both of them on the same night. It was s—.”

Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) is coming off a sixth-round knockout of Dillian Whyte in April, after which he has gone back and forth on retirement.

Most people thought he was just talking, biding his time until the fight on Saturday. Now we know that’s exactly what he was doing.

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Photos: Oleksandr Usyk retains heavyweight titles in rematch with Anthony Joshua

Photos: Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight titles in his rematch with Anthony Joshua on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Oleksandr Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua by a split decision in their rematch to retain his heavyweight titles Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Here are images from the fight. All photos by Getty Images.

Oleksandr Usyk outboxes Anthony Joshua again to set up showdown with Tyson Fury

Oleksandr Usyk outboxed Anthony Joshua in their rematch on Saturday to set up a possible showdown with Tyson Fury.

Anthony Joshua was better but still not good enough for Oleksandr Usyk.

The Ukrainian proved that his victory over Joshua to win three heavyweight titles in September was anything but a fluke, outboxing the bigger man again to win a split decision, retain his belts and bolster the spirits of his besieged countryman.

And the victory might’ve set up an even bigger showdown with fellow titleholder Tyson Fury, who indicated on social media after the fight that he has not retired.

“This is already history,” Usyk said through a translator after the fight. “Many generations will watch this fight. And when someone tried to beat [me] hard but I [withstood] it and turned it a different way.”

Things didn’t start well for Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs).

Joshua, evidently determined to use his size and strength advantage this time around, came out more aggressively than he did in the first fight. Most notably, he targeted Usyk’s body with vicious punches, which was a theme from beginning to end.

However, by the fourth round, the gifted Usyk settled into a groove and began to outbox, outwork and frustrate the bigger man.

Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) rallied in Rounds 8 and 9 to close an apparent gap on the cards. He was particularly effective in a dramatic ninth, when he stunned Usyk with more than one punch and appeared to pursue a knockout.

That tactic might’ve been Joshua’s path to victory had he fought that way the entire fight but he didn’t, not even in the next round.

Usyk dominated Round 10 with his movement and work rate, leaving Joshua befuddled again, and he delivered more of the same in the final two rounds to beat Joshua a second time.

Two judges had Usyk winning, 116-112 and 115-113. One scored it for Joshua, 115-113. Boxing Junkie had it 115-113 for Usyk, seven rounds to five.

Thus, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion left no doubt that he’s one of the finest heavyweights of the era.

Is he better than Fury? We probably will find out soon.

Fury announced recently that he has retired as an active boxer but he made it clear on social media after the fight Saturday that he isn’t going anywhere. He was harshly critical of the bout, which he called “bull—.” And then he made his intentions known.

“Get your f—ing check book out because the Gypsy King is here forever,” he said.

That must’ve been music to Usyk’s ears.

“I’m sure that he’s not retired yet,” Usyk said before Fury made his statement. “I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I don’t fight Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”

Meanwhile, Joshua, who once seemed destined for greatness, has now lost three of his last five fights. That included a shocking knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 which he avenged the same year.

There’s no reason to think he can’t remain an elite heavyweight. He acquitted himself well on Saturday, coming within a few rounds of climbing back to the top of the division and setting up the biggest all-British fight in history against Fury.

However, for now, he’ll have to begin a rebuilding process. That might be one reason he lost his cool shortly after the fight, tossing two title belts out of the ring.

And if Fury ends up fighting Usyk for the undisputed championship, Joshua will have to watch from a distance.

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