I’VE GOT NO REGRETS, INSISTS JOSHUA
ANTHONY JOSHUA declared he had no regrets about his tactics in defeat to Oleksandr Usyk after being dethroned as world heavyweight champion.
Usyk was giving up three inches in height and four in reach, as well as nearly 20lbs in weight, but the superior ringcraft of the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion was there for all to see in his unanimous decision win.
Scorecards of 117-112, 116-112 and 115113 were justifiable rewards for a mesmerising display by Usyk, who snatched the WBA, IBF and WBO titles from Joshua and left a ‘Battle of Britain’ against Tyson Fury seemingly in tatters.
Joshua struggled to assert himself as his opponent’s speed and movement from an awkward southpaw stance troubled him but his strategy in front of more than 66,000 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium came in for criticism.
After the second loss of a 26-fight professional career, Joshua’s thoughts have already turned to a rematch.
‘If it went well then it would have been perfect but it didn’t so I can’t really look at it and have any regrets,’ said Joshua, who disclosed he was unable to see out of a swollen right eye from round nine onwards in north London.
‘What I’m happy about is I can go again and I’ve got a chance of becoming heavyweight champion of the world again. Only positives from here moving forward, I’ve had enough of looking at things from a negative point of view.’
Joshua’s trainer Rob McCracken has backed him to have a better showing in a return clash, which could take place in February or March next year.
‘You’ve got to apply better pressure with a fighter like that and not give him too much time,’ he said. ‘That’s really what should happen. But Anthony’s already addressed that he’s learning on the job. I’ve got no doubts that if he applies himself, which he will, then he’ll get a great performance in the rematch because Usyk’s boxed tremendously well and he will have learned loads.’