Eddie Hearn speaks out after confronting fan after Anthony Joshua loss

Anthony Joshua ready to do 'it all again' after Usyk loss

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Eddie Hearn has apologised after verbally clashing with a fan following Anthony Joshua’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night. The Brit was left stunned by a masterful display from the Ukrainian fighter, who took the verdict on all three of the judges’ scorecards to claim the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.

Following the loss, Joshua cut a subdued figure, but his promoter Hearn was anything but as he helped flank the 31-year-old back to the dressing room.

Hearn, 42, turned furiously after one nearby fan shouted: “Hey Eddie you pussy,” before aggressively asking the culprit three times “What did you say?”

When he didn’t get a response, Hearn pointed at his heckler and said: “You s*** yourself then didn’t you”, before rejoining Joshua and his entourage in exiting the arena.

The clip was posted on Twitter by Michael Benson, Online Boxing Editor for talkSPORT, and drew a few humorous responses with many noting how Hearn appeared to silence the previously vociferous fan.

JUST IN: Tyson Fury mocks Anthony Joshua with eight-word message after heavyweight title defeat

However, Hearn has now admitted he was wrong to react that way as frustration got the better of him.

“I shouldn’t have done it, but we spend our lives listening to people online that give you abuse,” he told iFL TV. 

“It’s not because I’m a tough guy. At that moment I would’ve taken on about 40 people! But yeah, I shouldn’t have done it.”

The incident compounded a bad night for the Matchroom Chairman, with Joshua’s defeat likely to scupper any immediate plans for a long-awaited showdown with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury.

DON’T MISS:
Eddie Hearn confronts fan who called him ‘a pussy’ at Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk
Amir Khan fumes at being ‘picked on’ when he was kicked off flight after 9/11 anniversary
Oleksandr Usyk details unusual tip his trainer gave him during Anthony Joshua victory

Instead, Joshua’s attention will now turn to instigating his rematch clause with the unbeaten Usyk, 34, with Hearn already acknowledging his client would not be the favourite second time around.

“The fighter in AJ is already talking about winning the rematch. It was a tough defeat. I had it reasonably close in the eighth and then Usyk ran away with it. If that happens again, he will get beat again,” said Hearn, after the fight.

“Usyk’s confidence will be sky high. He has to impose himself but when you get to the level of AJ, there are no 10-round comeback fights or warm ups. You are straight into the fight.

“He will be an underdog in that rematch. He chose to take on a pound for pound great tonight, and it didn’t work out. He deserves credit for that but this is sport.”

Joshua does however, have a history of bouncing back from defeat.

He’s already exacted revenge on Andy Ruiz Jr, who in June 2019 handed him his first career defeat, although he’ll need to go up several notches from his display in London to trouble Usyk.

The Ukrainian’s professional record now stands at 19-0-0, with Joshua’s reduced to 24-2-2.

Source: Read Full Article