Derrick James has warned Anthony Joshua’s next opponent not to judge him on his recent victory over Jermaine Franklin.
‘AJ’ got himself back in the win column after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk with a decision victory over Franklin in April. While it would have boosted the former world champion’s confidence, it was far from a vintage performance and promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Joshua is aiming for a fight in August before taking on Deontay Wilder in December.
The decision win over Franklin was Joshua’s first camp under award-winning trainer Derrick James, who also coaches welterweight champion Errol Spence and undisputed super welterweight Jermell Charlo. However, James has warned that Joshua’s development is going to plan and will be a different proposition when he makes his next trip to the ring.
READ: Anthony Joshua set for next fight as Eddie Hearn gives Dillan Whyte update
“I don’t quit until my guys get it,” James said in an interview with ES News. “If there’s something that I think is significant, then I’m gonna keep pushing, keep working until they get it. If they don’t get it, I gotta keep on pushing. If they don’t get it, I take all the fault.
“People talk about Anthony Joshua (against Franklin) - he fought the fight that I wanted him to fight. I know you may think something else, but he fought the fight that I wanted him to be prepared to fight.
“The more time you get together, you’ll see a different guy. I want to make sure we get everything down."
Promoter Eddie Hearn had previously stated that an offer had been made to Dillian Whyte for August but has since said an agreement is unlikely to be reached for the rematch. Hearn is hunting for a top 15 opponent and expects to make an announcement soon, with plans for the Wilder fight to take place in Saudi Arabia also progressing well.
“We hope to get, contractually, everything signed off in the next one-to-two weeks with Deontay Wilder,” Hearn told the Dazn Boxing Show.
READ MORE:
'We're not going to stop' - Man City chairman's message is a warning to rivals
