ANTHONY JOSHUA has officially announced Derrick James as his new head coach.
AJ parted company with Robert Garcia – who replaced his former long-time trainer Rob McCracken – shortly after his second successive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last August.
The Watford warrior shopped around for a new head coach in America last year and briefly worked with James – the trainer of Errol Spence and Jermell Charlo.
And James’ appointment as the main man in Joshua’s corner was confirmed on Wednesday in the announcement of his clash with Jermaine Franklin.
An excerpt of the press release read: “Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) fights at The O2 in London for the first time since 2016 as he begins life under the tutelage of new head trainer Derrick James.”
Joshua’s involvement with Franklin was by no means a secret as the pair were spotted together in several social media snaps.
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Joshua, 32, will look to pick up the pieces of his career against hard-hitting American Franklin at the O2 Arena on April 1.
The fight will be his first since his back-to-back defeats to pound-for-pound king Usyk and he’s keen to turn in a good display for his new coach.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion said: “I want to put on a show and impress my coach as he has high standards.
“Franklin has a good style and a great attitude, which he has shown in recent fights.
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He added: “Mentally and physically I feel ready.
“I’m looking forward to stepping back into the ring on April 1.”
Franklin, 29, said: “I’m ready to show the world why it’s time for me to take my place at the top of the Heavyweight division.
“Joshua had his time. It’s my time to shock the world!
“This fight isn’t going to the judge’s card. I will have win number 22 come April 1.
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“That ain’t no April Fool’s joke.”
Defeat to Franklin could bring about the end of Joshua’s career, with promoter Eddie Hearn admitting: “You go into that fight in April and you know that defeat, it’s all over, really.
“It would be a third back-to-back defeat and yet a great performance and a showroom knockout will get everyone saying, ‘We’re back, baby.’
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“That’s what I can’t wait for because I love it when our backs are against the wall.
“I’m excited. I’m really excited. This is the most excited I’ve been in Joshua’s journey so far.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
