Anthony Joshua’s trainer bingo goes on, with nobody quite sure other than the heavyweight himself if anything has been agreed.
Joshua unified the heavyweight belts under the guidance of British trainer and head Olympic coach, Robert McCracken. It was a partnership that looked like it would last for the extent of ‘AJ’s career, however, following a crushing defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, the Watford man split from McCracken and sought the held of Robert Garcia.
Garcia, who trains the likes of Jose Ramirez and Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, came on board for the Usyk rematch. Joshua came up short again, cementing the Ukrainian as the champion and leaving the Brit in build back mode.
Whilst many felt that there were improvements on show in the second fight, the fighter and coach relationship seemed distant in the weeks to follow. Garcia said he was open to training Joshua, but would like to do it in the US. Meanwhile, Joshua was entertaining conversations with others, including former four-weight world champion, Roy Jones Jr.
With the situation seemingly up in the air, ‘AJ’ was asked again recently what’s going on in camp. Speaking to iD Boxing, Joshua responded positively when SugarHill Steward was suggested.
“He’s a very good coach. He’s very qualified to train me. Very qualified.”
Steward is an interesting subject, not because he’s a great trainer that could perhaps bring out the best of Joshua’s style, but because he currently mans the corner of one Tyson Fury.
‘The Gypsy King’ has flourished under the Kronk trainer’s guidance, winning by stoppage in three of his last four following a career that was perhaps more suited to going the distance.
Whilst ‘AJ’ likely knows that linking up with the trainer of who many would say is his biggest rival in the division is unworkable, it’s interesting to hear him say that the partnership would be a good one.
Whilst his training set up remains uncertain, what’s for sure is that ‘The Gypsy King’ will have something to say about this.