30 March 2023 , 09:41
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Anthony Joshua has admitted his break-up with head trainer Rob McCracken following his first loss to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021 was particularly tough.
The two-time world heavyweight champion lost his unified belts for a second time under McCracken's leadership when he first met with former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk two years ago. And despite sticking with his coach after his initial loss to Andy Ruiz Jr, he decided to switch things up drastically for his second world title rematch.
Joshua enlisted Robert Garcia to help him get right for the rematch, and while his performance was improved he was still unable to earn victory and now must rebuild under his new trainer Derrick James. He has moved to Texas to prepare for his comeback fight with Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena, completely changing his surroundings from usual home comforts.
Asked during the DAZN press conference show if he had been contacted with a good luck message by McCracken ahead of his return, Joshua said: "I haven't spoke to McCracken, unfortunately. You know that whole break up? It was tough, I've got a lot of respect for these guys.
"But at the same time it's like I always say with my friends and family when I'm at war and fighting I can't always be the guy maintaining relationships as well. Some people haven't even reached out to me as well, but I know that when I'm done boxing I can go and spend time and sit down.
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"But I'm in camp right now. I respect them, other people from other places like Virgil Hunter, we talked, Ronnie Shields, we're still cool. But from my Angel Fernandez, Joby Clayton, Sean Murphy [days]? Rob and I we haven't really had much dialogue. He's a busy man!"
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Joshua has had much harsher things to say about Garcia than McCracken, with whom he has previously left the door open for a reunion. He had been working with his fellow Brit since his amateur days, with the pair winning Olympic gold before three of the four titles in the paid ranks.
“When it comes to your head coach it is important to keep things in-house, especially when you are talking about your fighters," Joshua said in relation to Garcia earlier this week. “There are things I didn’t like about some of my old coaches that I could talk about but I don’t. No one is perfect but, when you come together in arms to go to war, there should be a level of respect.
“I have worked with Sean Murphy and John Oliver in the amateurs, all the GB coaches, Tony Sims and Rob McCracken in the pros, Angel Fernandez, Joby Clayton, Robert Garcia and Derrick James and Garcia is the first one to say the things he said. I didn’t like that, I found it weird."