Anthony Joshua has admitted that he wishes he had gone to America to train with Robert Garcia and other top coaches earlier in his career.
The Brit won Olympic gold under the tutelage of Rob McCracken, and continued working in Sheffield with the coach through two unified world heavyweight title reigns. But after criticism of his corner for his loss to Oleksandr Usyk back in September, Joshua has swapped head trainers and brought in the respected American Garcia.
California native Garcia has turned 14 fighters into world champions, and now wants to add a heavyweight title holder to his esteemed list. And he aims to do that with Joshua now his priority in a new London training camp for his rematch with Usyk this summer.
"Robert Garcia's a good man," Joshua told the press at a London launch event for his August 20 rematch with Usyk. "Straight after the [loss in September], I spent time in America.
"It's something I should have done early in my career. So, young fighters coming up: Go to the States, get out there, travel. Branching out has been good with Robert Garcia.
"Shout out to Rob McCracken and the team - it's all love. I respect him and everything that we've acheived - but I need to make some important decisions for myself.
"But I need to make some sort of important decisions for myself as well. It's new, it's something different, but the objective is the same; to win a fight, to look at your opponent and take something away from them, a bit of their spirit when you're in the ring."
Joshua has been working with Garcia since around December, with the American recently moving full time to join his camp in the UK. He is expected to come out more aggressive for his bout with Usyk this time around after attempting to box more during their first meeting.
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The pair have gone head-to-head at two separate press conferences in the build-up to their rematch, first in the host city of Jeddah and today in London. There appears to be minimal bad blood between the pair, but a healthy level of competitive rivalry between the duo.
Eddie Hearn had to step in and put an end to their lengthy face-off today after a particularly awkward one in Saudi Arabia, but the rivalry is not nearly as heated as some other heavyweight feuds. For example, fellow Brit Tyson Fury wasn't even allowed to face-off with Deontay Wilder during the fight week for his trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder last year.
"It's looking good," Joshua said of his training camp today. "In terms of old AJ, I'm the same old G doing what I'm doing, grafting away and listen, it's a rough and tough sport, especially fighting these lefties. They're a nightmare! I'm going to have to dig deep, tuck up and not make the same mistake twice."
