Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) returns to the ring with the conviction that one of the best if not the best coach in the world of boxing will now be in his corner. The first test for the new cooperation between coach and boxing this coming Saturday will be Jermaine Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs).
The former two-time world heavyweight champion moved his training to Dallas, where he worked hard under Derrick James. Prior to that, in two fights with Usyk, he was led by Robert McCracken and Robert Garcia.
“It's not about the change of place, but about the personality of Derrick James. But I don't want to put pressure on him either. I have spoken to and watched many coaches at work and I am convinced that he is one of the best if not the best coach in the world. I respect him very much. He prefers hard work, and ended his career only thirteen years ago. He knows what it means to be in hard and difficult battles, he has experienced it for himself. It pushes me to give all my best in the gym,” the 2012 Olympic champion praised the new collaboration.
According to Joshua, the decisive fight for the results of work with the new coach will not be Franklin, but, perhaps, the third fight with Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs).
“I would like to fight him for the third time. I'm starting all over again, I feel fresh again, ”added Joshua.
“I immediately liked what I saw, and I liked AJ very quickly. He is a big, strong and very athletic boxer with good technique and fast hands. He still hasn't shown what he's capable of, and it's my job to unleash that potential. He needs to understand and believe how good he really is,” James said.
“I want to win and then get back to Texas as soon as possible and start a new camp,” said the former champion.
“Joshua needs to effectively defeat Franklin, preferably by knockout, and then challenge Tyson Fury,” says Carl Frampton, former lightweight champion.
