Troy Deeney says Anthony Joshua’s meltdown after Usyk loss was ‘difficult to watch’ but reveals why it was GOOD thing

TROY DEENEY says Anthony Joshua’s meltdown after losing to Oleksandr Usyk was “difficult to watch” – but loved seeing the human side to his friend. AJ lost the unified heavyweight world titles and a super-fight with Tyson Fury after falling victim to Usyk’s mastery in September 2021. Anthony Joshua after defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2022 Credit: Reuters Troy Deeney on SunSport’s No Glove Lost And for their rematch a year later, Joshua parted ways with his long-time coach and mentor Rob McCracken to relocate and revamp his career. But despite an improved performance, Usyk inflicted a second defeat on AJ – although this time far more painful following the personal sacrifices made. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! It sparked an emotional but bizarre outburst from Joshua in the ring, whose rant ended with him throwing Usyk’s belts to the ground. Former Premier League striker and boxing nut Deeney – a pal of AJ’s for over 20 years – watched on in concern. But he reckons Joshua’s vulnerability reminded fans even the greatest of boxing heroes have chinks in their superhuman armour. Deeney said on SunSport’s No Glove Lost episode: “He’s blessed with everything, and I think he’s been amazing. “I think there’s certain times he’d probably want moments back, but who wouldn’t? “I think back to Usyk, when he just kind of lost himself in that moment. It was difficult to watch, but I actually really enjoyed that. He showed you as a human. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga - all the info Anthony Joshua faces Kristian Prenga in his huge comeback fight “So many times he’s showed you the ultimate professional, saying thank you to sponsors, saying thank you to everybody afterwards. “Sometimes it’s like, come on, mate, just show us the real you. After [Wladimir] Klitschko when you’re screaming because you know that was a big moment. And I think he’s been fantastic. “I’m talking about it from a guy that’s come and watched a lot of fighting over the years. “He’s been fantastic, and he’s transformed the way the experience of boxing now is as well. “I remember watching him in York Hall and those prizefighter fights all before him, and he’d come on at the end. “I remember talking afterwards, and he was like, ‘I wish I could have jumped in there and knocked all of those guys out, won the 20 grand.’ “Because that’s where he was thinking about the money at that point. Now he’s thinking about legacy and how it’ll all be said about his character once it’s all done.” The Home of Boxing in 2026 There's a massive year of boxing ahead! It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring. Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year. The Gypsy King also features in a warm-up bout the day before AJ, as he takes on Mariusz Wach in Thailand. And Moses Itauma returns for his toughest fight yet against Filip Hrgovic in August. Here’s all the big fights coming up… July Fri 24 – Tyson Fury vs Mariusz Wach Sat 25 – Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – DAZN PPV Sun 26 – Errol Spence Jr vs Tim Tszyu August Sat 1 – Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain – DAZN Sat 15 – Claressa Shields vs Kaye Scott – DAZN Sat 29 – Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN September Sat 12 – Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia – DAZN *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue. Joshua has been unable to capture heavyweight gold since his double defeat to Usyk. But now Usyk, 39, is helping AJ on his road to reclaiming them after the pair linked up to form a formidable training partnership. Joshua returns on Saturday against 20-1 Albanian Kristian Prenga, 35, in Jeddah having already signed to face Fury later in the year. Fury, 37, himself returns a day beforehand against Mariusz Wach, 46, in Thailand to form a semi-finals before the big one. Deeney added: “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing AJ 20 years. The one fight that’s always been spoken about has been this one. “And I don’t know how everyone else’s relationship is but whenever that question has been brought up over the 20 years, he is adamant he wins. “Not an arrogance or “I can or maybe if” – adamant he wins. “I know there was some sparring early doors that obviously he had some joy with, but he’s always spoke about it in an assured manner of I’ll beat him. “So, I’m always gonna back my friends anyway, but I just think it’s gonna be a great fight. “I just think he’s in a wonderful moment in life which is very rare for a lot of people.” Comment now