20 December 2023 , 19:11
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Anthony Joshua called out Carl Froch for his comments regarding his efforts in training.
Joshua was trained by Rob McCracken for the majority of his career as he became the unified heavyweight world champion. McCracken also trained former super-middleweight champion Froch who has been critical of Joshua since he split from the Sheffield-based coach after losing to Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua has since worked with Robert Garcia and Derrick James but will be corned by Tyson Fury's ex-trainer Ben Davison when he takes on Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. And after opting not to perform at the open workout on Wednesday - instead welcoming local boxers into the ring - Joshua took aim at his critics.
"I've been here a few times now and understand the vision and promoting boxing for the next generation," he said. "It's giving them the chance and the opportunity, and I think that meant the world to them. I didn't really want to work out today, with all due respect, so this was the next best thing, I've just come from the gym.
"Theres always been a stigma around my training effort and professionalism, am I someone who works hard? Carl Froch has had a lot to sat about my approach to training. I've worked with a lot trainers, Ben is someone I've worked with; he's welcomed me into his gym and I've taken it with a professional approach."
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Joshua went on to lose his rematch with Usyk before bouncing back this year with wins over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius. And he insists he is not worried about Wallin being a southpaw following his struggles against Usyk.
"Usyk has a better training camp and a better fight on the night," he added. "Who knows if we'l fight again. I'm fighting another southpaw; I know its not Usyk but I've learned from my last outing. There's no turning back now,I signed up for this eight weeks ago and if I was nervous I wouldn't have signed up for. it. I've dedicated myself to a different lifestyle and it's one of a fighter and there are no nerves."
Davison, who trained Fury to beat Wallin in 2019, insisted Joshua had been a welcome addition to his gym. " Anthony Joshua and Leigh Wood are the most professional fighters I've worked with," he said. "Every session he's an hour early to make sure he's prepared and ready to go for the session to start.
"There have been a few conversations about him stopping the session when I want him to stop. He's a one per-center and that excites me because it tells me there is a lot let in the Anthony Joshua story. He's a very hard worker and if anything he's someone you have to reign in."