Anthony Joshua is being told what to do in training for his upcoming fight after previously being treated "like God" before his last fights.
Joshua, 33, is gearing up for his UK return as he faces Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena in two weeks. The Brit is without a win in over two years having lost his heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021 before failing to win them back in their second fight last August. Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has admitted the former two-time world champion wasn't being pushed hard enough in his past training camps but that has changed now he's moved camps to the US.
“I see a guy [Joshua] that has worked really hard. He was very tired yesterday after a long camp out there,” Hearn told K.O. Artist Sports. “It’s hard for me to explain to you the difference in the camps that I saw. On the one side, he was at the Institute of Sport in England with lots of people and 10 rings and the Olympic setup and scientists.
“I went to Derrick James’ gym which is extremely humble and all you need, that’s the thing. I think that's what made AJ realise. Errol Spence was in here yesterday and sparred, I think, 11 rounds. He doesn’t even have a fight. It’s just hard work. I feel like the problem with back home in England in that set-up was he was almost like God.
“He didn’t want it to be that way, but he would walk in, and he’d be in a situation where everyone would say, ‘What do you want to do, AJ?’. Now, he’s just being told. He’s worked really hard, and he’s ready to fight on April 1st."
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'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 Franklin. Joshua put on a better showing the second time round against Usyk but accomplished coach James admitted he "laughed" at the Brit's strategy for the rematch.
Hearn recently laid out his 2023 plan for 'AJ' which involves beating Franklin before setting up blockbuster fights with Dillian Whyte and Deontay Wilder later in the year. Hearn has praised Joshua's decision to be coached in America for his upcoming fight and thinks the humble environment he is in will only benefit his performance against Franklin.
