12 April 2023 , 08:07
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Anthony Joshua's ex-trainer has admitted the heavyweight "lost his mind" following his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua returned to winning ways after linking up with new trainer Derrick James when he outpointed Jermaine Franklin in London earlier this month. It has been a tough spell in the heavyweight's career having been forced to bounce back after two consecutive defeats by Usyk under two different coaches.
The second came in their Saudi Arabia rematch where AJ's improved performance wasn't enough to prevent him falling short on the judges' scorecards. After the final bell, Joshua went on an uncharacteristic X-rated rant and came in for heavy criticism including from trainer Robert Garcia.
And now in renewed criticism after splitting with Joshua, Garcia has defended his words insisting that he would refuse to be a 'yes man' while the Briton was under his stewardship. “He [Joshua] could be surrounded by nothing but yes men, but the trainer has to be real to him," Garcia said while standing by his criticism in an interview with iD Boxing. "If the trainer is also a yes man, then the trainer is not a real person.
“I have the responsibility to say what I see, and be honest with him. When the fighter comes out saying 'I didn’t like a comment he made' what do you expect me to say? I could be a yes man too, and get paid and not give a f***. There are trainers like that, but I’m not one of them. After the fight, he totally lost control of his mind. The way he acted is not right, and I’m not the only one saying it – everyone is saying it.”
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Joshua burst into tears at the post-fight press conference and apologised for his outburst, insisting he became too caught up in the frustration of the defeat. However the 33-year-old is now back in the winning column under new coach James and has decided to relocate to the US to continue his heavyweight rebuild.
Anthony Joshua has lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk (AFP via Getty Images)Do you think Anthony Joshua could become heavyweight champion again? Let us know in the comments section below
Prior to his win over franklin, Joshua reacted to Garcia's criticism suggesting that he was left surprised following their positive relationship. Joshua told talkSPORT : “I just felt like, Garcia kind of said a lot, which baffled me as well. But I’m not a little boy. I can take it, but at the same time – I can’t talk about you, and you not back yourself.
"So, I said, ‘Some things aren’t adding up to me, certain things that people are saying aren’t adding up. ’So, the second time I just said, ‘I’m going to make the decision this time, I’m going do it myself.’ And that’s how I ended up being in this position now where I am based in Texas. And then the third time I have said, ‘I’m gonna do it my way and step away from everything.'”