Conor McGregor has defended Anthony Joshua’s post-fight speech after the boxer went on a bizarre rant following his loss to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch.
AJ was beaten on points for the second time in the space of a year by Ukraine’s Usyk in Saudi Arabia. After his split decision defeat in the highly anticipated rematch, Joshua grabbed the microphone before delivering a speech.
He spoke about his journey and the ongoing war on Ukraine after telling Usyk “I’m talking” when the champion tried to take his Ukrainian flag back from him, a bizarre speech that many have slammed. Joshua said:
“This guy is a phenomenal talent, we’re going to cheer for him three times. “How many belts you got now bro, five? Hooray. I was studying Ukraine and their champions from your amazing country.
“I’ve never been there, but at the same time, what’s happening there, I don’t know what’s happening. “It’s not nice, I’ve seen it in Lomachenko’s second fight. There were issues, civil war. Vitali Klitschko against Danny Williams, civil unrest.
“Usyk, as a champion, please raise your hand, under those circumstances you became a champion. Champ, champ.”
McGregor has now defended Joshua, claiming it was ‘a great speech’ and ‘if they [Usyk’s team] wanted the mic they could’ve tried get it back.’
‘You are all going on ridiculous over this,’ McGregor posted on his Twitter account. ‘That is a great speech right there. Fair play to him he made it yet he is still in there keeping that cog going.
‘If they wanted the mic they could’ve tried get it back. Then he gives me a shout out. Great fight, thank you! #champchamp’.
