ANTHONY JOSHUA has split with coach Robert Garcia – as promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the Brit is in the US building a new team.
The two-time heavyweight world champion ended his relationship with long-term trainer Rob McCracken following his first defeat at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk last year and brought in Garcia.
He then tried to get revenge over Usyk in August and went with a gameplan formulated by Garcia, but ultimately came up short in the rematch, losing in Saudi Arabia vis split decision.
Rumours of a split sparked after Garcia was mistranslated as criticising Joshua in a Spanish interview.
However, Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom chief Hearn, confirmed the heavyweight is in the US putting a new team together.
Hearn told Behind The Gloves: “No, he is good. He is out in America at the moment working on his new team.
READ MORE IN BOXING
“He is getting that together and then we will get an opponent sorted and the date is pretty much locked in.
“It is pretty much sorted and we are looking forward to seeing him return.”
Joshua is expected to make a return to the ring next year.
A second fight with Dillian Whyte has been talked up.
Most read in Boxing
However, trainer Shane McGuigan reckons Joshua might be tempted to fight fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.
McGuigan told Sky Sports: “Maybe. If we can have that [Anthony Joshua] fight, why not? Definitely.
“It comes down to getting people at the right time.
“AJ might think he’s getting Daniel at the right time when he hasn’t got the experience and potentially he might think [Dubois’] confidence might be lacking.
“But we also would have to look at that fight and think, we’re getting him at the right time.
“It’s down to Martin Bowers [Dubois’ manager] and Frank [Warren, his promoter], that are going to be matching his next move. Obviously, we sit down and we discuss it.
“No one’s ever been queuing up to fight Daniel. Especially the big names because they think, ‘I’m going to walk into heavy shots there and he’s got a puncher’s chance and what’s there really to gain from it?’
“He’s got the WBA ‘regular’ title. He’s also showed in their eyes a bit of weakness in that last fight.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
