Eddie Hearn helped console Anthony Joshua after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk by listing all of the Brit's achievements in the sport.
Joshua, 32, was lost a decision to Usyk for the second time in 11 months last weekend. 'AJ' had more success in the fight than he did against Usyk last September, but he was ultimately outclassed by the Ukrainian as he suffered the third defeat in his last five fights. Joshua made headlines for his bizarre post-fight reaction, storming out of the ring in a state of rage only to return minutes later and deliver an X-rated speech.
Matchroom boss Hearn thinks that regardless of Joshua coming up short twice against Usyk twice, he should be proud of what he's achieved in boxing. "I just finished 57-minutes with 'AJ' on the phone, I said to him 'AJ' you're so smart. You've got your own mind and eyes, look at what you've done. Go back to that 17 or 18-year-old kid that really didn't even have a future. You've changed the sport in this country, maybe even globally. You're a two-time world heavyweight champion," Hearn told DAZN's Boxing Show.
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"You've filled stadiums around the world. You've filled stadiums around the world and inspired people. Come on, you couldn't have been there at that age thinking you were going to achieve this in your life. You've got to fall in love with the sport, he loves boxing. I also said to him remember one thing, you did well on Saturday. You boxed well, those people he talked about getting respect from, they respect him for that performance."
Joshua has been told his legacy is "in tatters" by Tyson Fury after his recent loss. A win against Usyk could have set up an undisputed clash between Joshua and Fury, with 'The Gypsy King' insisted he would have ended his retirement to take the domestic clash for free. Fury is now demanding £500million to face Usyk, giving bidders until September 1 to come up with the money.
'AJ' broke down in tears after his loss to Usyk and apologised for doing a "stupid thing" by storming out of the ring. Joshua is without a win in almost two years, last stopping Kubrat Pulev in December 2020. Fury thinks 'AJ' has found his level after losing again to Usyk, insisting his domestic rival "can't cut it" when facing top class competition in the ring.
