By Daily Sports on September 27, 2021
Anthony Joshua said he was “110 percent” likely to activate a rematch clause with Oleksandr Usyk after losing his world heavyweight titles to the Ukrainian in stunning fashion in London on Saturday
Usyk gave a boxing masterclass in recording a unanimous points victory to deprive Joshua of his World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization belts in front of the dethroned champion’s home crowd of more than 66,000 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
His victory extended Usyk’s unbeaten professional record to 19 wins and scuppered the prospects of an all-British world heavyweight title unification bout between Joshua and Tyson Fury.
It also meant Usyk became just the third cruiserweight world champion after Evander Holyfield of the United States and Britain’s David Haye to also take a heavyweight title, with the 34-year-old achieving the feat in just his third professional contest in the heavyweight ranks.
The contract for this bout, however, contained a rematch clause.
And Joshua, who previously lost his belts when beaten by Andy Ruiz in New York in June 2019 before regaining the titles in a rematch in Saudi Arabia six months later, is determined to face Usyk again.
“A hundred percent, 110 percent,” he told a post-fight press conference. “I’m ready to get back to training.
“There’s an old saying ‘If you want to go down as a great fighter, don’t fight southpaws’, especially good ones. He (Usyk) is a good fighter.”
Joshua suffered a badly swollen right eye which required medical attention in a fight where only the bell appeared to save him from a last-round knockout.
“I couldn’t see in the ninth round,” explained Joshua. “My eye was shut, but it was a good experience, because in adversity, you’ve just got to learn to control yourself… it’s the first time it’s happened in a fight.”
Joshua, sounding remarkably upbeat despite a convincing loss, insisted: “I’m a different kind of animal. I’m not a sulker, this is a blessed opportunity to be able to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world.
“Straight away I’ve already been watching the fight and figuring out what I could have done better.”
Joshua’s defeat put paid to a fight anytime soon with Fury, who defends his World Boxing Council heavyweight title against Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas next month — the third time the pair have met after a split-decision draw and a win for Fury.
Joshua, however, insisted: “I’ll fight Tyson Fury, Wilder, without the belts. It’s great, it’s legacy but with or without the belts I’ll fight whoever.” (AFP)
•PHOTO: Anthony Joshua
Source Daily Sports
Posted September 27, 2021
You may also like...
Hakeem Olajuwon interested in buying share of Rockets...
Kanu Nwankwo Loses ‘Daughter’
Lampard Hails Defensive Improvement But Says No Time...
NCoS Stages Football Competition For Inmates
Tottenham sign Wanyama
Palmer in awe of Dennis’ qualities

Nigerians slam Eagles’ reliance on Osimhen
2026 W’Cup miss, moment of profound sadness – NFF
Finidi charges Rivers players to score more
NFF apologises to Tinubu, Nigerians over Super Eagles’ World Cup miss
Osimhen big miss for Nigeria – DR Congo’s Sadiki
WCQ: Chelle claims DR Congo official used voodoo during penalty shootout
Anyanacho wins bronze at Islamic Game
FirstBank secures partnerships for Lagos Open
Nigeria wins best country crown at World Scrabble Champs
Our best wasn’t enough, Nwabali laments DR Congo defeat
'One of the best in Africa' - DR Congo coach admits Leopards are not on Super
We can’t celebrate yet – Chelle
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,344 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,572 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,509 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,135 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,127 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,048 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,892 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,474 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,597 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,172 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,555 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,038 views)