Anthony Joshua has compared his previous trainer, Robert Garcia, to his new cornerman, Derrick James, after the two-time heavyweight champion, made the switch at the beginning of the year.
Joshua has spent the vast majority of his professional career with Robert McCracken, but went in a new direction after his loss to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, where he turned to Garcia.
However, the appointment was an unsuccessful one, as ‘AJ’ lost once again to the highly-skilled Ukrainian, and made the decision to ditch Garcia after just one fight together.
Now, Joshua is working with Derrick James, who also trains world champions Errol Spence Jr and Jermall Charlo, but underwhelmed on his first contest with James by his side, defeating Jermaine Franklin by unanimous-decision.
Although, not producing a statement performance, Joshua was full of praise for James in an interview with talkSPORT, and less so about ex-coach, Garcia.
“I recall when I was training for Usyk, and I had Robert Garcia on board. The fight date kept getting pushed back and the general conversation in the Usyk camp was “we need this fight to happen soon, because we don’t want AJ to spend as much time as possible with Robert Garcia”. In my mind I was like [shrugs], I didn’t feel like I was being taught anything, so I didn’t think it mattered if I spent a year [with him], I was still going to do my thing anyway.
With Derrick James, I soak up every second that I’m in that gym with him. Whether I am successful or not, Derrick James is the truth. As his own individual person, Derrick James is the truth, the time spent with him is very, very valuable.”
The 33-year-old will fight for a second time under James’ guidance, as he takes on Dillian Whyte on August 12th at the O2 Arena in London, almost eight-years since the pair last met in the ring.