Anthony Joshua has revealed what it’s like to train under new coach Robert Garcia.
The former unified heavyweight champion will return to the ring next weekend in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs), the two-time global dominator, meets Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch for the WBA Super, IBF, IBO and WBO titles at the Jeddah Superdome, with Sky Sports Box Office broadcasting the comeback of the clash last September, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, in the United Kingdom and Ireland after paying a staggering £23 million in royalties.
And the 32-year-old, who is still designing in an undisputed standoff with WBC champion and fellow Brit Tyson Fury, will join the fight with a new man in the corner, after a split hands with longtime mentor Robert McCracken. his defeat to Ukraine 11 months ago.
When talking to Sun As he prepared for battle in the desert, Joshua said:
“He [McCracken] will obviously say things like “raise your hand” or “slide there”. But Angel and Robert Garcia break things down even more.
“Now I can be told ‘in this round, perfect that f****** jab. The goal in this round is to get that shot. The next goal is to lean more when you throw your forehand’. “
Garcia was brought in to work alongside Angel Fernandez, who was already part of the coaching team when Joshua worked with McCracken, and Brit mentioned some minor differences between the pair’s coaching styles.
“It is more tactical, so there is a reason behind the method.
“It’s a lot to remember, it can be a little bit of brain fatigue but nothing tires me more than being in that lap and getting through it in 12 laps, in fact, so I have to get through it. .”
Joshua admits he almost went with Eddy Reynoso, the man who sidelined undisputed super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, before picking Garcia.
But one thing in particular ultimately influenced his decision:
“I want one-on-one so I won’t be able to train with Canelo.
“That’s one of the reasons we didn’t go that route, I needed it one-on-one and he’s committed to his boxer at this minute.
“He cannot come here and I am living in the UK, so we have found someone who can and can work in the hermitage, with Angel when he is here or not. I don’t need confidence.
“I have a lot of respect for Garcia, that’s why his name was originally on the list, because of his name, his qualifications and his experience.
“But I am happy with whatever my team decides. I can only gain confidence from my preparation and competition.
“A coach can tell a boxer a million good things but if he doesn’t do them it’s meaningless.”
