ANTHONY JOSHUA has opened up on his change in tactics since losing to Andy Ruiz Jr – explaining he wanted to be ‘a slicker boxer’.
The British superstar was beaten for the first time in June 2019, suffering four knockdown before defeat in round seven.
Anthony Joshua was beaten by Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019 Credit: PA:Press Association But Joshua, 32, avenged the loss six months later as he boxed his way to victory over 12 rounds.
But after a fan claimed he’s not ‘the same since’ being stopped by Ruiz, 32, AJ uncharacteristically took to Twitter to fight hs corner.
Joshua was also accused of being ‘more cautious now’ and failing to ‘attack fighters like you used to’.
In response, AJ replied: “I wanted to be a slicker boxer. Boxing 1.0.1 – hit & don’t get hit.
“I was told if I love fighting & want to go on 4 years try not to get hit a lot. A loss or a beaten shouldn’t make you scared of boxing.
“It made me work on my weakness. Hard 2 explain but make of it what u can.”
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Joshua adopted similar tactics against Oleksandr Usyk in September despite having over a stone advantage.
It backfired as Usyk, 35, outboxed the Londoner to snatch the unified heavyweight titles on points.
Joshua has since promoted Angel Fernandez from assistant trainer to head coach, seemingly replacing Rob McCracken.
He told Behind The Gloves: “I’m working with Angel Fernandez right now.
“He’s been in my camp for the last three years anyway. He’s been at the last three of my world championship fights.”
Joshua was recently filmed body sparring with former lightweight Luke Campbell, 34, in Fernandez’s gym.
And while Campbell is giving away around EIGHT stone, the pair of 2012 London Olympic gold medalists took turns drilling straight body shots.
Anthony Joshua body sparring with Luke Campbell Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Anthony Joshua and Luke Campbell in Angel Fernandez’s gym Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
