Anthony Joshua had to restrain his ‘upset’ father as he tried to confront promoter Eddie Hearn following his son’s shock defeat by Andy Ruiz.
After the fight Joshua’s father Richard made a beeline towards Hearn in the ring and had to be held back by Joshua at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The exchange was caught on camera in the background as Ruiz was being interviewed in the ring following his unexpected seventh-round stoppage.
It is unclear why Richard was frustrated but Hearn has come in for criticism from some quarters over his handling of Joshua’s career and an inability to book a fight with the heavyweight’s two big boys – Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
Eagle-eyed boxing fans spotted Joshua Snr walk across the ring to join his son before he turns around to confront the tuxedo-wearing Hearn, who is stood the other side of a line of security.
‘No, it’s me… I’m the one fighting,’ Joshua could be heard telling his father he gestured and pointed in the promoter’s direction.
But Richard continues with his remarks towards Hearn and can at one point be clearly seen swearing in his direction.
Eventually Joshua managed to calm his father down and lead him away from the confrontation and he later admitted: ‘My dad’s upset, which is a natural reaction.
‘Everyone’s in good spirits; losing isn’t a good night but it’s something we can learn from.’
He added: ‘My dad said “tighten up and get smart; when things are going good nothing’s going wrong, then something bad happens, you realise”.’
Hearn said of Joshua’s performance: ‘AJ got sloppy, he was in control, got caught but never recovered. I don’t know, he looked flat at times, it was a great fight.
‘This sport is mountain tops and valleys as they say. He’ll bounce back, but this is a must win now.
‘Andy Ruiz will believe he can win the rematch, AJ has to rebuild and let the fire burn inside him. Tonight goes down as a huge upset. AJ will be devastated when this sinks in.’
It is expected the two fighters will have a rematch in the UK in November or December this year as Joshua bids to win back his IBF, WBO and WBA belts.
