Deontay Wilder's trainer believes Anthony Joshua is "gun-shy" despite his points win over Jermaine Franklin.
Joshua was unable to KO American contender Franklin in his points win at London's O2 arena last weekend, as he returned to the winning column after a difficult period. 'AJ' had faced criticism for his two performances against Oleksandr Usyk, and many felt he would return with a typical power-punching display under new trainer Derrick James.
But he was taken the distance as he looks to get his career back on track in a new push for world titles. Despite restoring his momentum, Wilder's long-term coach Malik Scott believes Joshua is failing to show his heavy-hitting attributes that saw him rise to become a two-time world champion.
“He comes across as a little bit gun-shy," Scott said during an interview with Boxing King Media when assessing Joshua's recent display in a win over Franklin. "Ever since he fought Ruiz, even when he has looked at his best, in my opinion against [Kubrat] Pulev and Ruiz II, those were still real tactical, safety-first victories for him.
“Ever since that [loss to Ruiz], he has been overthinking in the ring, for someone that big, someone that strong, that can be that imposing on his opponent, that is not a good thing. AJ is not a slick guy, he doesn’t punch a little bit hard, he punches very hard. He’s a fast guy, he’s actually known for being one of the latest heavyweights that puts their punches together very well.
"But why hasn’t he been putting punches together well in his last three/four fights against smaller opponents? It is not a physical thing, I don’t think it is a trainer thing, I think this is a mental thing.”
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Joshua had been working in the US with experienced coach James to prepare for the fight where he will now return after a short break with a focus on continuing his rebuild. It remains unclear what calibre of opponent will be next, but Joshua has been heavily linked with clashes against both Tyson Fury and Wilder.
The former champion's promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested the likes of Dillian Whyte and Filip Hrgovic could too be in the running, if Joshua is to seek a continuation of his gradual rebuild. And in a huge indication that this could be the case, Joshua admitted he wasn't entirely happy with his own performance.
“Deep, deep, deep down, I’m not happy because ultimately the ultimate goal was a knockout,” he said. “There’s nothing that can top a knockout. Anything short of that isn’t what I’m happy with. There were opportunities for sure where I pushed [for a knockout]. But you know what as well? I’m fighting someone who come in with a plan to win. He done well to stay in there. I wish I could have taken him out.”
