If you can’t beat them, join them.
That’s the adage Oleksandr Usyk is offering Anthony Joshua after beating the Brit for the second time by decision.
“If he needs my help, I’ll go to his camp and help him. He’s not 40, he’s 33, so he should keep working. Anthony, don’t stop,” Usyk told Sky Sports. “I understand that he wanted to beat me, but Anthony can’t give up. He has to keep going.”
Usyk convincingly won over Joshua in August, withstanding a ninth-round attack to close out the show in rounds 10, 11 and 12. Usyk earned a split decision victory despite outscoring Joshua 170-124 in the rematch.
In September 2021, Usyk defeated Joshua via unanimous decision to capture the heavyweight crowns.
Joshua was clearly frustrated by the second beatdown and had a rare post-fight outburst in the center of the ring during Usyk’s celebrations.
Usyk described Joshua’s protest as “a mistake”.
“It’s wrong to think that I had stolen the moment,” Usyk said. “He said what he wanted. Thank God the victory was mine. You can’t judge Anthony for what he did, he’s a top athlete and a good person. He made a mistake. I’m sure he did it without anger.” . He was disappointed in his loss and he was sad.”
WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight world champion Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) is now focused on fighting WBC champion Tyson Fury next year once he takes some time off. to allow injuries to heal.
If a Fury fight falls through, Usyk has stated that he would be open for a third fight with Joshua.
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and television reporter. He is also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, by email at manouk[dot]collect[at]gmail.com or at www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
