New coach, new broadcaster, new manners
According to insiders, about two months are left before the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua, in which four heavyweight championship titles taken by the Ukrainian from the British will be at stake. Both boxers have been in training camps for a long time – the date of the fight has already been shifted several times, both are trying to prepare surprises for each other. At the same time, Joshua, who outright lost the first fight to the Ukrainian, decided to radically change everything in his team – from the coaching staff to the broadcaster of his fights.
What Joshua did not like the previous coach
Rob McCracken is the coach who made Joshua who he is today. It was this specialist who led Anthony to victory at the 2012 Olympics, Rob himself got into the UK team thanks to his work with another famous English boxer, Carl Froch. It was Joshua who called him, deciding to turn professional with an offer to become part of his headquarters – Tony Sims was the main one at first. It was McCracken who prepared Joshua and was in his corner in the most memorable fights for Anthony – with Wladimir Klitschko, Tony Parker, Alexander Povetkin, two fights with Andy Ruiz and a fight with Alexander Usik.
Moreover, in preparation for the last fight, Joshua even allowed McCracken to leave for the location of the British Olympic team for the 2020 Games. But after the fight with Usyk, the relationship between the boxer, who had previously spoken about the extreme importance of McCracken in his team, and the coach ended. We must pay tribute to both – they ended without scandals and mutual accusations. And, by the way, without specifying the reasons for parting.
It is likely that Joshua, after the fight with Usyk, realized that the methods of McCracken, who worked only with him and Froch in professional boxing, do not always work. And those things that Anthony passed or said goodbye earlier at a high level are punished. Plus, Usyk in the first fight dispelled all allegations about the excellent technical preparation of the Briton. Without belittling the merits of the latter and understanding the phenomenal nature of Usyk, the Ukrainian showed that Joshua is just a well-trained boxer, but nothing more, and his technical skills are clearly not enough to win. And in the return match, McCracken’s strategy and tactics will not work in the same way as in the first.
What does Joshua expect from a new mentor?
“It’s not about changing style, it’s about his experience, what he knows at championship level. In my opinion, adding this to the training camp is priceless. The main thing is that a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter. I am in a good position. I’m doing well, ”said Joshua commenting on the arrival of American specialist Robert Garcia to his team.
Speaking about Garcia’s championship experience, Joshua was not disingenuous. In his short professional career, the 47-year-old former IBF featherweight world champion (37-34-3) has produced 14 (!) world champions and has worked/works with fighters like Mikey Garcia (his brother), Nonito Donaire, Brandon Rios, Marcos Maidana, Anthony Margarito. As Garcia himself joked, only the world heavyweight champion is missing from his coaching collection. And now he has a chance to fill this gap.
What can Garcia Joshua give before Usyk fight?
First of all, as it seems, this is a deeper understanding of professional boxing – it is unlikely that in such a short time the coach will be able to radically change Anthony’s boxing style. “Now Garcia is around. We’re just working on some things. As for me, it’s not about changing the style. Perhaps Garcia’s style is based on bending down, moving fast and slipping, but I’m a 2-meter heavyweight, ”said Joshua.
Secondly, better preparation – Garcia knows how to work before and during championship fights. Not to say that Joshua looked bad physically in a duel with Usyk, but his advantage in power and anthropometry did not play any role in this fight.
Thirdly, the choice of more competent tactics for battle. Do not chew on what has been said many times – Joshua’s plan to fight Usyk failed. The Brit needs to come up with something new and box in a new way. Garcia is a trainer who has cooked with stylistically different boxers and will surely be able to come up with something for Joshua.
Fourth, the experience and “knowledge” of Garcia. The first point is mentioned above. As for the second, Garcia has repeatedly made it clear that he is closely following Usyk. Moreover, the Ukrainian even trained in the specialist’s gym in the American Oxnard. “Joshua’s team knows I’ve seen Usyk train. I never coached Usyk, but I was there. They trained in my gym. Maybe that’s another thing that helped,” Garcia said.
Fifth, Joshua’s mental overhaul. Yes, Anthony returned after losing to Ruiz, winning a rematch confidently, but it was not as painful as from Usyk. That failure was perceived as an accident, the loss of a Ukrainian is a pattern. “I’m here to change Anthony’s mentality. Me, Angel Fernandez and others help him. He created a team that includes not only Angel and me. We are preparing a fight plan and training him with the right strategy and the right sparring partners to get him into the ring and perform well,” said Garcia.
Will Garcia manage to change Joshua before the fight with Usyk
“Usyk, he looks scary. He looks like a serial killer. But at the same time, Joshua is the most talented heavyweight,” Garcia said. Tyson Fury is a different beast, a different monster. Oleksandr Usyk is a very technical and complex fighter. Deontay Wilder has tremendous power. But if we talk about talent in general, then I choose Anthony Joshua. Anthony hates to lose. Now he thinks like a fighter. He is determined only to do his job, to win, dominate and harm his opponent. This is the mentality he needs.
I think the most important thing for him is the plan for the fight. My plan for the fight, I will not say that this is the only true plan, but this is a plan with which Usyk can be beaten. Because Usyk is very smart, very technical, very fast, with good head movement. But Joshua is so big, so tall, he has such an advantage in reach and height that he has to use it to win the fight.”
Sounds sensible, but the only question is whether Garcia can quickly rebuild Usyk. Moreover, history knows many examples when boxers, changing their coach, spent a lot of time to change to a new philosophy. The brightest and most memorable for us is the transition of Wladimir Klitschko to Emanuel Steward.
The first fight under the leadership of the legendary specialist Klitschko Jr. lost to Lamon Brewster, then he gave out a nondescript fight against Davarrul Williams and had an incomprehensible fight with Elisier Castillo to judge the changes. Perhaps only in the fourth fight with Meni – the first fight with Samuel Peter – did everyone see what a different boxer Vladimir had become. It took almost two years and four fights. Joshua doesn’t have that much time.
Joshua will get even richer
The British boxer is one of the highest paid fighters in the world. Since the fight against Wladimir Klitschko, Joshua’s fees have exceeded two tens of millions of euros, and he still holds this bar. First of all, because of a competent manager, marketing attractiveness and popularity in Britain, but also in many respects – because of a valid contract with Sky Sports. It was the television giant that provided Anthony with solid income from the sale of broadcasts. But now Joshua has decided to change that too.
Earlier this month, Anthony ended his partnership with Sky Sports and signed a long-term deal with streaming service DAZN.
It was reported that Joshua’s contract with DAZN Joshua would have two fights a year. According to the deal, Anthony will receive about $100 million a year.
Source: Sportarena
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
