Derek Chisora is a long-time friend of his former gymmate Anthony Joshua and has now revealed the trainer that he thinks ‘failed’ his old pal.
Chisora has been speaking about Joshua ahead of the undisputed title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on May 18 out in Saudi Arabia.
That historic battle sees two of Chisora’s former opponents face off so he is well placed to comment on their abilities and has done so in relation to Joshua.
He believes that ‘AJ’ is a different fighter under Ben Davison, who took over as Joshua’s trainer last year. Joshua previously worked with American trainer Derrick James, but after bouts against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, the pair split.
Chisora has now been speaking about the relationship between Joshua and James to Crypto Casino LTD, and gave an analogy the only way he can to explain why he feels the USA-based coach failed ‘AJ.’
“I do feel like British fighters tend to work better on ho me soil with British trainers, it’s a different fight style. It’s like marrying an American and asking for them to cook a Sunday Roast, they don’t know how, they haven’t done it before, they didn’t grow up with one.
“Sunday roast is a British tradition. Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a different game, an American would know exactly what you’re talking about. There’s a culture difference.
“James is a great trainer but didn’t have the ability to turn AJ into the menace he is right now. American trainers are great for American fighters. Basing yourself at home gives you a massive advantage because you’re sleeping on the same pillow you’ve been sleeping on for the last ten years.”