Off the back of one of his most infamous losses, Anthony Joshua would launch a bitter diatribe at the legends of boxing past and present.
Up to that point in his career, Anthony Joshua had just suffered a pair of career losses — the most high-profile of which in devastating circumstances.
Making his debut in North America, Joshua was stopped in dramatic fashion by Andy Ruiz Jr. — with the short-notice replacement knocking out the Watford native in the seventh round.
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And regaining his WBA, IBF, IBO, and WBO heavyweight crowns, Joshua encountered his biggest stumbling block to that point in his career.
Engaging in a two-fight series, Joshua missed the chance to set up a lucrative rubber match.
Anthony Joshua launched a tirade after shutout loss to Oleksandr Usyk
In one of the most high-profile fights of the year, on this day in 2022, Joshua would share the ring with unbeaten Ukrainian star Oleksandr Usyk, attempting to avenge a prior decision loss to the former cruiserweight from the year prior.
Headlining in London just 11 months earlier, Joshua found himself on the wrong side of a unanimous judging loss to Usyk — who ushered in a new era at the heavyweight limit.
And in the time since, Joshua, unable to make the requisite changes, suffered a second straight loss for the first time in his career, this time in a split decision loss.
However, failing to congratulate and embrace Usyk after his loss, Joshua launched a memorable tirade, hitting out at his critics.
“I’m not a 12-round fighter. Look at me. I’m a new breed of heavyweights. All them heavyweights, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey. ‘Oh, you don’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano.’
“‘Cause I ain’t 14 stone, that’s why. I’m 18 stone and I’m heavy. It’s hard work.”
Anthony Joshua’s emotional outburst after Oleksandr Usyk loss
Having thrown his titles out of the ring after his loss, Joshua eventually returned to embrace Usyk in the ring, before questioning how Usyk actually defeated him for a second time.
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And during his post-fight press conference, Joshua, flanked by his Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, broke down in tears.
“It’s really, really hard for me to say that I’m proud of myself,” Joshua said. “I don’t feel anything. “Well, I’m upset, really deep down in my heart.