Eddie Hearn speaks out on Anthony Joshua scorecard controversy as boxing judge slammed

In pictures: Usyk v Joshua II

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

Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn admits his fighter lost to Oleksandr Usyk “by two rounds” – despite one judge Glenn Feldman scoring the fight 115-113 in AJ’s favour. Usyk won his rematch with Joshua in Saudi Arabia by split decision to defend his WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight belts.

But there was drama at the end when one of the three judges – American Feldman – sided with Joshua. Ukraine’s Viktor Fesechko scored it 116-112 to Usyk while Steve Gray of Great Britain felt it was 115-113 to the unified world champion.

Feldman has been widely criticised for his scoring, in which he gave Joshua all of the first three rounds and also round 12, on social media. There have been some calls for him to be suspended from boxing as a result.

And Hearn said to iFL TV when asked about the matter: “Buncey [Steve Bunce] had Joshua up, a few people had Joshua up. I felt he lost by two rounds but when it’s 115-113, it’s the swing of one or two rounds and you can see it the other way.

MUST READ: Hearn explains why Anthony Joshua kicked off after Usyk defeat

“I had AJ level or maybe up at the end of the ninth but Usyk winning the last three rounds. I thought he was incredible and it was one of the great performances. The ninth, Usyk was all over the place. He was hurt badly.

“He looked like he could be done. What he did in the 10th was unbelievable and that’s why he was pound-for-pound No 1. The amount of punches he threw in the 10th was incredible. I just couldn’t believe what he did in the championship rounds.”

Usyk’s back-to-back victories over two-time champion Joshua set the scene for a winner-takes-all bout with Tyson Fury, owner of the WBC belt. Usyk said post-fight: “I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him and if I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”

DON’T MISS…
Joshua team ‘left him out to dry’ as Clarke apologises for rant
Oleksandr Usyk issues Tyson Fury fight ultimatum after beating in AJ
Boxing fans react to Anthony Joshua’s speech following defeat

Fury declared on social media he would “annihilate” both Usyk and Joshua on the same night and multiple former super-middleweight champion Carl Froch would back the Gypsy King in that fight.

“Tyson Fury is the best in the division,” Froch said on Sky Sports. “He’s shown it time and time again. His fights against Deontay Wilder, the way in which he uses his size and reach, and is able to throw lots of punches from different angles and use his weight effectively.

“The weight would be such a big advantage for him in the way in which he would use that against Usyk. Tonight’s the first time I’ve seen him where I’ve thought he could get stopped here. He’s beatable. Tyson Fury can beat Usyk, definitely, and I think he’s number one.”

Source: Read Full Article