Rob McCraken knows what its like to have a fighter in camp, who is lacking drive and focus ahead of a clash with an opponent who is not given much of a shot at winning and in turn his fighter’s focus had been affected. A similar scenario is playing out currently ahead of the Joshua vs Takam heavyweight world title fight, where Joshua is a 50-1 favourite going into tomorrow night’s encounter.
However, McCraken has been quick to stress Joshua has maintained his levels of focus and determination ahead of what is seen as a beatable opponent. “It’s very different,” McCracken told London’s Daily Mirror. “I remember the conversation with Carl. It was at the latter end of his career. He had just beaten Mikkel Kessler, which he had the ambition to do, and George Groves became his mandatory, which he wasn’t overly happy about. He was stubborn in camp and should have prepared better because Groves is a tough fighter, as he has gone on to prove.
“There’s none of that with AJ because he has been a pro barely four years. Carl had been over a decade as a pro when he was grumbling about challenges from the UK for his world title. He enjoys it, Anthony. He’s not daft. He’s looked at Takam and seen he’s big, dangerous and powerful. It’s a tough sport and you can’t underestimate anybody.” McCracken concluded.