It seems that Anthony Joshua is on the hunt as soon as once more for a brand new coach.
After dropping to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, Joshua cut up from longtime coach Rob McCracken and had coaching classes with the likes of Eddy Reynoso, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Ronnie Shields, and Virgil Hunter, amongst others, earlier than settling with Robert Garcia.
Garcia coached Joshua within the rematch versus Usyk, however the former two-time heavyweight champion and British star fell brief as soon as once more to the Ukrainian.
Joshua has crossed the ocean as soon as once more searching for a brand new voice in his nook.
In current weeks, Joshua has once more labored with Hunter – who’s most identified for guiding Corridor of Fame fighter Andre Ward – in addition to Derrick James, coach to the likes of Errol Spence Jr. as effectively Jermell and Jermall Charlo.
The Southern California-based Garcia lately stood agency that Joshua wants to coach in the US as a substitute of the UK with the intention to resurrect his profession.
Now the touted coach is suggesting that the 33-year-old Joshua ought to have a no-nonsense method throughout camp.
“As a result of every little thing was form of straightforward and fast for him, he thought that that was the suitable strategy to do it, that he didn’t have to do it in one other method,” Garcia informed Izquierdazo. “However when the time comes for this type of struggle [such as Usyk], with fighters of a better degree, harder fights, more durable fights, you want a stricter camp, the place he follows indications.
“[Joshua] is a devoted fighter, he does and listens to what he’s informed to, however possibly he thinks that he was a champion with out doing that a lot or with out dedication. However if you end up combating in opposition to opponents like Usyk, that’s one thing completely different.”
Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) lately admitted that distractions outdoors of the ring are making his boxing profession sophisticated.
“So once I’m prepared, I am going to get again within the ring. You recognize what it’s? I ain’t champion and it is simply hurting so much. I am within the health club rebuilding and restructuring every little thing I bought to do inside and out of doors of the ring. There’s so much that goes on outdoors of the ring in my life which makes my ring life sophisticated. So I simply have to simplify numerous stuff outdoors of the ring after which simply put my full consideration within the ring, actually,” stated Joshua. “My life is sophisticated. Boxing has change into a bit sophisticated for me. Everyone seems to be simply attempting to benefit from this time whereas I am boxing and they’re doing an excellent job. However it does have an effect on my ring exercise as effectively. So I simply at all times attempting to push all of that stuff away. It is a problem. I am simply attempting to get it out of the best way this yr in order that subsequent yr I really feel extra centered.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports activities journalist, author and broadcast reporter. He’s additionally a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and MMA Journalists Affiliation. He could be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, by way of e-mail at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com.