Johnny Nelson has offered up some advice to Anthony Joshua, saying this week that he believes the fighter should take a year out from the sport to recharge.
In an interview with IFL TV, Nelson explained that, for his money, Joshua is still suffering with demons from his second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in August of this year.
“I think he [Joshua] should take a year off. I think he should sit back, reset, spend time at many gyms and immerse himself until he feels comfortable in it. So then he can say ‘now I’ve reset, now I can do this’ ”
“Look what he’s achieved – he started boxing at 18 years old! So he’s achieved ridiculously good things. But he’s still broken, he’s still not over the two losses to Usyk. He’s still got to get his strength back and get his belief back.”
After losing out to Usyk in Jeddah, it was initially put forward by promoter Eddie Hearn that Joshua would look to return to action back in the UK before the end of the year.
However, as it became clear that ‘AJ’s training situation was once again up in the air, a 2022 date was quickly realised to be unfeasible and instead it now looks like Joshua will return in the Spring of next year.
It was confirmed last week that the former unified world champion has split with Robert Garcia, despite only working with the American for one fight.
An opponent – alongside said new trainer – is expected to be announced relatively soon, despite Nelson’s advice.