Retired fighter turned pundit and podcaster George Groves knows what it is like to change trainers before a huge fight – something Anthony Joshua is becoming known for.
The former super-middleweight champion parted ways with his long-time coach Adam Booth on the day that his first fight with Carl Froch was announced back in the late summer of 2013.
Groves ended up joining forces with Paddy Fitzpatrick for the fight and ensuing rematch but has admitted before now that it wasn’t ideal preparation.
He moved on from his long-time coach Rob McCracken after the first defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and went with American Robert Garcia for the rematch, which he also lost over 12 rounds, failing to win back his three world titles.
He has had two fights since with Derrick James – a points win over Jermaine Franklin and a knockout of Robert Helenius both earlier this year – but is now in camp with former Tyson Fury coach Ben Davison.
Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Groves had plenty of praise for Davison.
“Ben Davison is a good trainer and has worked with a lot of different fighters now. He’s a smart guy and I don’t have relationships with any of the fighters he has worked with but he seems quite methodical. He’s not going to show up and show him the same old pads. He will be trying to improve him.”
That said, Groves also expressed dismay that Joshua hasn’t stayed with James.
“He was with Derrick James before and I thought they were doing a great job together, it felt like a process, so the fact that relationship breaking down is a bit disappointing cause I would like to see where that went. But yeah, Davison is a good coach so I’d like to see if there are any changes.”
It’s suggested Joshua will go back to James after this fight and that he has been with Davison for ‘logistical’ reasons.