16 February 2023 , 13:19
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Anthony Joshua 's new coach Derrick James admitted he "laughed" at the Brit's strategy for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua, 33, lost his heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021 and failed to win them back in their second fight last August. 'AJ' parted ways with longtime coach Rob McCracken after his first loss to Usyk and partnered up with Robert Garcia for the rematch, but is now working with James ahead of his fight against Jermaine Franklin on April 1.
Both of Joshua's defeats to Usyk were clear-cut, although the Brit did have a better showing in their second fight. James, who coaches world champions such as Errol Spence Jr and Jermell Charlo, wasn't impressed with Joshua's performance in the rematch. "When I saw him in the Usyk fight, I thought, 'What the heck is he doing?' I’m laughing," James said on the DAZN Boxing Show.
Usyk faced Joshua in just his third heavyweight fight after moving up from being an undisputed cruiserweight world champion. The Ukrainian is pencilled-in to face fellow heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on April 29 with the final details of the undisputed clash currently being discussed.
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'AJ' will travel out to Texas ahead of his fight against Franklin at The O2 arena work with James, who was awarded Ring Magazine's Trainer of the Year in 2017. The Brit insists he is in good spirits despite his bad run of form and wants to impress James in their first fight together, stating the trainer has "high standards".
James revealed that Joshua has founded a new friendship with Spence Jr, adding: "Errol asks him a couple of questions. When Errol is hitting the bag, working out, AJ is watching him. It’s like a mutual respect. That’s what most guys need to get to the next level or get that thing back that they had before. Even with Errol, he sees him doing some things, and they both work off each other."
Anthony Joshua has lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk (Getty Images)The trainer is hoping to get Joshua back on a winning path, something he is confident in as he believes 'AJ' is a top-leve fighter. "I'm very honoured and happy to be able to help him get to the next level and get him to where he wants to go," James told reporters including Mirror Fighting.
"I was just want to help him facilitate success, help him get back and be successful. He just had two shortcomings recently, three in his whole career, but he's a top-level fighter. You fall short every now and again, but he has the ability to get back up."