Anthony Joshua says he will continue to work with trainer Rob McCracken despite criticism of his role in the 29-year-old’s shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr.
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis was among those to suggest Joshua should look for a new trainer, but he insists he will stick with McCracken.
“I took my first (professional) loss. How to explain that feeling? It has happened to me before but I feel like those times I lost years back have made me a stronger person,” Joshua said in a video released on his YouTube channel.
“It hasn’t really changed me, my work ethic, my mindset, what I stand for, the people I’m still loyal to – my trainer Rob McCracken, my amateur coach at Finchley ABC. I’m still going to work with these guys, they’ll teach me everything I need to know.
“They’ve done a great job for me not only inside the boxing ring but mainly as a human. They’ve really developed me as a person which is really important. These guys have been with me for years.”
Joshua also refused to make any excuses for his defeat and has vowed to win back the IBO, IBF, WBO and WBA (super) heavyweight titles he lost to the American in New York.
Read Also: Joshua: I blame no one for my defeat
But Joshua’s heavyweight rival Tyson Fury backed Ruiz Jr to triumph again in the re-match, which is set to take place in November or December.