Anthony Joshua was full of praise for Dmitry Bivol and his corner after the Russian’s unanimous decision victory over Gilberto Ramirez to retain his WBA world title in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Joshua was being interviewed by Behind The Gloves when one of Bivol’s trainers, Gennadiy Mashyanov, walked past backstage at the Etihad Arena. ‘AJ’ turned his attention to Mashyanov and gave him his dues for his part in helping formulate the game plan that allowed Bivol to hold onto his belt.
“This is a great coach. We all tend to look at the fighters, but we forget the coach. This is the brains.
You train me?”
Bivol mesmerised the crowd in attendance and those watching at home, always looking in control as his speed of hand and foot as well as an airtight defence proved to be far too much for Ramirez.
So impressive were the tactics of Bivol that Joshua jokingly asked Mashyanov if he would train him.
Joke or not, the remark comes amidst news that ‘AJ’ may indeed be looking for a new man for his corner. His partnership with Robert Garcia may have only lasted for the recent defeat to Oleksandr Usyk – Joshua’s second in a row against the elite Ukrainian.
Despite many people feeling that the Watford heavyweight’s performance under Garcia was improved, there has been no official announcement that they will work together again and, given recent comments about Joshua being a ‘free spirit’, it’s looking less and less likely that Garcia will be guiding Joshua in his comeback bout.
He’s rumoured to be returning to the ring in early 2023, with names like Dillian Whyte and Otto Wallin in the mix before going on to pursue a big fight with Deontay Wilder later in the year.