Anthony Joshua was "emotionally and mentally broken" when he issued his rant after losing to Oleksandr Usyk, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua, 32, failed to win back his heavyweight world titles when he lost a decision to Oleksandr Usyk last month. 'AJ' had more success in the fight than he did against Usyk last September, but the Ukrainian was ultimately the superior boxer as Joshua suffered his second loss on the bounce.
The Brit made more headlines for his actions after the fight, throwing two of his world title belts on the ground before storming out of the ring only to return moments later and issue an X-rated speech. Hearn told fans who have criticised Joshua in the past for being "manufactured" they were able to see a raw version of the former two-time champion during his outburst.
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"Everyone says 'AJ's manufactured, he's never real and speaks from the heart', well there you go," Hearn told iFL TV. "You get to see him raw, a guy that has dedicated the last 12 months to winning that fight and was emotionally and mentally broken and devastated that he lost in front of the world.
"He left the ring because I think he felt like he was bubbling up with emotion and wanted to get out. Then he realised to himself, 'I actually have a responsibility to try and be gracious, come back in the ring'. I don't think he said anything bad, he just spoke from the heart with emotion and frustration. If he had his time again, I don't think he would have done it."
Joshua has now lost three of his past five fights and has been advised by his coach Robert Garcia to avoid fighting Deontay Wilder next, with a clash between the two hard-hitting heavyweights being teased for years. Garcia thinks Joshua should get a few wins under his belt before challenging an elite heavyweight again.
Hearn also said fans were quick to forget that Joshua congratulated Usyk on his win, adding: "The first thing that AJ did was go over, congratulate him and hold the Ukrainian flag up behind him when they were announcing the winner. People forget about that, Joshua has apologised for his actions, I'm not so sure whether he should but he did. He probably feels like he said some things or reacted in ways he shouldn't of."
