AJ intensifying search for trainer ahead Usyk rematch

Anthony Joshua continues to weigh up his options having visited prolific coach Robert Garcia with the former heavyweight champion still searching for a new trainer.

The 32-year-old lost his WBO, WBA and IBF titles in a one-sided unanimous decision defeat to Ukrainian wizard Oleksandr Usyk, whose majestic movement kept a usually fierce Joshua at bay.

Promoter Eddie Hearn  who openly admitted Joshua got his tactics wrong in trying to outbox Usyk, rather than utilise his evident physical advantages  has confirmed they have activated the contractually-agreed rematch clause and will attempt to regain the belts early next year.

Joshua was typically humble in defeat but has since embarked on a tour of America, with the future of long-term trainer Rob McCracken  who guided the Brit to a gold medal at the 2012 London games  largely unclear.

Garcia, a former super-featherweight champion and now highly accomplished trainer, is the fourth potential coach Joshua has spent time with in recent weeks in his desperate quest for damage control.

Questions of McCraken’s ability as a coach were also raised after Joshua’s shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, in what was his first and only outing in America.

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Joshua then stuck by his ever-loyal companion, however, with the pair formulating a winning game plan as the Brit became a two-time unified heavyweight champion with a brilliant boxing display in Saudi Arabia.

He is yet to personally comment on the potential desire for a new coach, or in fact whether McCraken will remain in his camp, but the recent images certainly suggest a change is imminent.