However, Usyk came on strong to close out the fight, almost putting his man down in the final seconds as Joshua just about saw the final bell.
Following the fight, Hearn said: “For me, that was an average performance from Anthony Joshua. He can do so much better in that fight, but he’s facing a pound-for-pound great.
“It was a tough defeat. I had it reasonably close in the eighth and then Usyk ran away with it. If that happens again, he will get beat again.
“Usyk’s confidence will be sky high. He has to impose himself but when you get to the level of AJ, there are no 10-round comeback fights or warm ups. You are straight into the fight.