Anthony Joshua reveals he told old foe Wladimir Klitschko to pass on an apology to Oleksandr Usyk

Anthony Joshua has apologized for his actions after his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, which saw him throw the Ukrainian’s belts out of the ring and go on a bizarre tirade.

Usyk defeated Joshua in their rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last August by split decision after defeating him by unanimous decision a year earlier at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With his place at the top seemingly hanging in the balance after a third career loss, Joshua appeared to be experiencing something of a meltdown.

Speaking before his return to the ring against Jermaine Franklin in April, Joshua told the BBC that he apologized for his actions before offering an explanation for the way he acted.

‘Listen, I’m not perfect, it wasn’t the right thing to do. I didn’t talk to Usyk. I spoke to Wladimir (Klitschko) and I said: “pat Usyk on the shoulder and I apologize.”

Anthony Joshua has revealed that he apologized to Oleksandr Usyk, through an old foe in the ring

‘But it was just raw, uncut and… It might not make sense to a lot of people, but it made a lot of sense to me and it was how much it means to a certain extent. I thought I’d feel like that at the end of my career when it’s all said and done and I’d say, “Wow! What a roller coaster. I made it through the trenches.”

“I feel like being so close to fighting for the undisputed title and getting that fight with [Tyson] Fury that people want so much. I was like “yeah, I’m almost there” and then bosh when I didn’t get my name.

“Then certain things were said in the ring, not excuses, and one of them was ‘you’re big and strong, you’re strong.

The heavyweight went on a bizarre tirade after his rematch loss at the hands of Usyk.

Joshua revealed that a series of triggering incidents in the ring after the fight contributed to his meltdown.

‘Remember that many athletes in the Afro-Caribbean community are told that they are strong and I feel it is quite demeaning, because they don’t mention you in terms of talent or technique.

‘When he said I’m big and strong, the alarm went off. There were a lot of things that triggered me at the time, but it was just pure, uncut emotion.

Joshua’s comments come amid a pivotal period in the fighter’s career. After two losses to Usyk, he knows he must put on a winning performance against Franklin to get back on track.

The heavyweight has a new trainer in Derrick James, while he will prepare for the fight living in Texas.

He said this is the “most serious” he has been preparing for any fight in his career thus far.

Joshua (right) teamed up with Derrick James (left) before his return fight with Jermaine Franklin

“Locked up. He’s a serious opponent, I respect all my opponents,” Joshua said. He comes to fight. That will keep me grounded.

“Throughout my career, this is probably the most serious moment I’ve ever taken it. Everything I’ve been through, positive, negative, I’m using to fuel this camp.

“I’m a serious person, I’m not there for anything else,” Joshua added. I’m there to put my head down and prepare for a fight.

“With Derrick here, he sure has a few tricks up his sleeve and we’re looking forward to April.”