By Shaun Murphy
Legendary trainer Freddie Roach has expressed an interest in training former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua for a potential
Joshua’s credibility as the world’s best heavyweight was shot after he lost his IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO titles in the second defeat of his pro career. The Olympic gold medalist was outboxed and outclassed over twelve rounds by Oleksandr Usyk in Wembley. His performance against Usyk was poor and disapppointed, allowing the smaller former outstanding cruiserweight world champion dictate the fight, coming close to stopping Joshua.
The powerfully built beaten former world champion had just lost a golden opportunity to fight Tyson Fury to unify the heavyweight titles, but was forced to defend the IBF title against Oleksandr Usyk after a legal ruling forcing Tyson Firy to face Deontey Wilder in a rematch fight agreed in the clause of their second fight in February 2020, in which Fury stopped the American in 7 rounds.
Joshua has already exercised an immediate rematch clause, with a second fight schedulled for next spring.
The londoner has recently been to the United States, where he was spotted in the company of several high profile trainers like Eddy Reynoso, Ronnie Shields, Virgil Hunter and Robert Garcia.
Roach, who has trained a number of accomplished fighters at his Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles, sent a message to Joshua that he would be more than happy to get him ready.
“You know where my gym is,” Roach told IFL TV in a message to the big puncher.
“I do run into him once in a while, he’s a character, and I’ve told him all he needs to do is come home..
The British star had recently taken a trip to the United States, where he was spotted in the company of several high profile trainers like Eddy Reynoso, Ronnie Shields, Virgil Hunter and Robert Garcia.
Roach, who has the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles, sent a message to Joshua that he would be more than happy to get him ready.
“You know where my gym is,” Roach told IFL TV in a message to the big puncher.
“I do run into him once in a while, he’s a character, and I’ve told him all he needs to do is come home.”
world class trainer: Freddie Roach Image:boxingnewsand views.com.
“As a man, I have to do what’s right for me,” Joshua told IFL TV.
“I speak to Rob about it, and Rob, as a man, agrees that if it’s good for me, he’ll say ‘champ, you do what you’ve got to do’. Rob’s not a controlling type of person, he’s very laid back and he’s happy to see the progression of what’s needed.”
Joshua has once been advised by the likes of Lennox Lewis to change head coach Robert McCracken, who has guided his career since he told professional in 2014. A number of other boxing commentators believes he needs a new trainer and a new mentality , to have any chance of avenging his latest defeat next year.
Joshua has indicated that he is not looking to dump McCracken. but would like to bring another trainer on board to work side by side with the veteran coach.
“As a man, I have to do what’s right for me,” Joshua told IFL TV.
“I speak to Rob about it, and Rob, as a man, agrees that if it’s good for me, he’ll say ‘champ, you do what you’ve got to do’. Rob’s not a controlling type of person, he’s very laid back and he’s happy to see the progression of what’s needed”.
Joshua avenged his first defeat to Andy Ruiz jnr with a discipline display in December 2019 to win on points.
That style and approach is not expected to work against Usyk , who is a boxing technician of supreme ability.
Joshua will need to go to war with Usykin their rematch, to maximise his chances of victory, or will face another defeat.
It is yet to be seen whether Joshua takes Roach as a trainer or whether he sticks with McCracken or has his sights elsewhere.