Anthony Joshua’s trainer explains why he ‘laughed’ watching him lose to Oleksandr Usyk
- Lewis Oldham
- 16 February 2023
Anthony Joshua’s new trainer Derrick James has admitted that he “laughed” watching the heavyweight’s strategy for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
The Brit fared better in the rematch than their first fight. He had Usyk in trouble at certain points but the unbeaten Ukrainian came on strong in the later rounds to win comfortably on points.
Joshua was trained by Robert Garcia and Angel Fernandez last year but he has now linked up with James, who also works with Errol Spence Jr and Jermall Charlo.
James was not impressed by what he saw from Joshua against Usyk last year, but he has suggested that there is "mutual respect" between the former heavyweight champion and Spence.
"When I saw him in the Usyk fight, I thought, 'What the heck is he doing?' I'm laughing," James said on the DAZN Boxing Show.
James added: "Errol asks him a couple of questions. When Errol is hitting the bag, working out, AJ is watching him. It's like a mutual respect.
"That's what most guys need to get to the next level or get that thing back that they had before. Even with Errol, he sees him doing some things, and they both work off each other."
Looking for another 𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 finish on April 1 😳 @anthonyjoshua #JoshuaFranklin, live on DAZN 📆 pic.twitter.com/ftefPfyOhY
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 15, 2023
It is hoped that Joshua will fight three times this year, with his first bout being against Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena on April 1.
Potential opponents for later this year include Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder and even Francis Ngannou.
James feels that Joshua "has the ability" to get back to being one of the best heavyweights in the world.
"I'm very honoured and happy to be able to help him get to the next level and get him to where he wants to go," James told reporters.
"I was just want to help him facilitate success, help him get back and be successful. He just had two shortcomings recently, three in his whole career, but he's a top-level fighter.
"You fall short every now and again, but he has the ability to get back up."
