ANTHONY JOSHUA takes on Oleksandr Usyk in a make-or-break rematch in Saudi Arabia.
And he will have a new name in his corner for the crucial fight, esteemed trainer Robert Garcia.
Who is Robert Garcia?
Robert Garcia is Joshua’s new head trainer, with AJ splitting from long-time coach Rob McCracken following his loss to Usyk in their first fight last September.
Garcia has guided 14 different men to world titles throughout his legendary career as a trainer, but none above middleweight.
Fighters he’s trained include former four-division champ and brother Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Jose Ramirez, Bam Rodriguez, Abner Mares, Nonito Donaire, Brandon Rios and Antonio Margarito.
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The Mexican was also a fighter himself, and won the IBF super-featherweight world title in 1998
McCracken had led Joshua to Olympic gold at London 2012, his first world title in 2016, and the regaining of his belts in 2019.
But the tactics Joshua used in the defeat to Usyk were widely panned, so the Watford man went out in search of a new voice in the corner.
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What has Anthony Joshua said about Garcia?
AJ, 32, visited the likes of Virgil Hunter, Eddy Reynoso and Ronnie Shields but it was Garcia that impressed him the most.
Many people believe that Garcia, who has a track record of producing aggressive and powerful fighters, is the perfect choice for the two-time heavyweight world champion.
Joshua said: “Texas, Fresno, LA, I saw a lot of coaches everywhere before choosing my new trainer – and there were coaches that I didn’t get to see – but he was the standout. Robert Garcia is a bad boy coach.
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“When I first turned pro, I did my first few training camps in Eddie’s [Hearn] back garden. That’s where we first started.
“Then, I moved to Tony Sims’ gym, for probably the first two or three fights, and then after that, I was allowed to train in Sheffield.
“I’ve been a pro for nine years, so for about seven or eight years I’ve been in Sheffield and this is my first time training out of there, but for 11 years, I trained with Rob [McCracken].”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
