Anthony Joshua has given an insight to how training at Derrick James’ gym in Dallas with the likes of Errol Spence Jr and Jermell Charlo has aided preparations for his comeback bout this weekend.
‘AJ’ has been working with James in Texas since the start of this year, the latest addition to one of the strongest stables in the entire sport.
Speaking to DAZN Boxing, Joshua was quick to emphasise how being in an environment surrounded by world class competitors has been to his benefit.
“When you’re amongst other great fighters, it does help. We all train at different times, because there’s only one Derrick James, but we kind of cross each other’s paths.”
“It gives you motivation, because you can see the good and the bad from a distance. Success breeds success, you put a dog with sheep and it will become a sheep.”
British fans will hope the link up has brought the best out of Joshua, with his fight against Jermaine Franklin on April 1 being billed as the most important of his career.
Some pundits are even of the belief the former unified world champion should hang up the gloves if he can’t get past Franklin at the 02 Arena
Whilst Joshua goes into the fight a considerable betting favourite, Franklin proved he is a competent fighter when he faced Dillian Whyte last November and will have plenty of confidence he can spoil Joshua’s homecoming.
After a slow start to ticket sales, AJ’s return is now fully sold out, so his backers will pray he can put in a statement performance, accompanied with a definitive knockout that gets people talking about Anthony Joshua as a top name in the blue ribbon division once again.