Anthony Joshua has suggested that he was regretful over some of the scenes which followed his unified world heavyweight title rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Despite having produced an improved performance from the initial bout, Joshua suffered a split-decision defeat to arguably the sport's number one pound-for-pound fighter.
The general consensus was that Joshua was fortunate to be handed a 115-113 verdict on one of the scorecards, the 116-112 to Usyk a more accurate reflection while a 115-113 to the Ukrainian ensured that he was given a deserved win.
However, after the fight, Joshua bizarrely picked up two of the world title belts and dropped them out of the ring, got himself involved in an altercation in the ring and stormed towards the dressing room before turning back to the ring.
Furthermore, the 32-year-old swore numerous times as he addressed the crowd, attempting to justify his passion for the sport while equally praising Usyk.
In his post-fight press conference, a visibly-upset Joshua admitted his disappointment and acknowledged that he had done some "stupid things".
Joshua said: "When you try and do things from your heart, not everyone is going to understand.
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"It was just from the heart. I knew I was mad at myself. Not at anyone, just myself. I was like I got to get out of here because I'm mad.
"When you're angry you might do stupid things. Then I realised this is sport. I came back and did the right thing."
The fight itself was less one-sided than their first instalment back in September, Joshua having more success when it came to troubling his unbeaten opponent.
There was a feeling that Usyk was at least two rounds in front ahead of round nine, Joshua's best of the fight as he appeared to hurt Usyk to the body.
To Usyk's credit, however, he responded with his own best round of an absorbing contest in the 10th, capitalising on Joshua looking sapped of energy by landing at will.
Had Joshua being awarded the final round on the 115-113 card to Usyk, the rematch would have ended in a draw, a decision which would have been unfair on Usyk and led to calls for a third bout.
Instead, both fighters can now move in different directions, with Joshua expected to return in December and Usyk left to discover whether he can head into an undisputed fight with Tyson Fury, who is currently retired.
Darren Plant
