American mentor Robert Garcia was once again asked about the spoiled relationship with the ex-ward – the former unified heavyweight champion Briton Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs).
Garcia prepared Joshua for the August rematch with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk. Despite the fact that the British had a much more confident second fight, he failed to get even – he lost by a separate decision of the judges. After the fight, Garcia spoke about the unsatisfactory psychological state of the ward. Joshua didn’t like it.
“As for me, if a fighter enters the ring, then he must be prepared for the fact that after the fight there will be different comments. Including the ones he doesn’t like,
reasoning Garcia. “And just because I was his trainer in no way means that I’m going to lie about what happened before or after the fight. Especially since I’m far from the only person in boxing who talks about Joshua’s problems. And if so, why is he angry with me? Let him then be angry and offended by the whole world.
Garcia is disappointed that after the outright win of the 9th round, Joshua gave Usyk the initiative – it was the champion’s three minutes that were not enough to win: “How else? How to react when your fighter is close to an early victory, and the next round he seems to have been replaced? Again, I’m not the only one talking about this. A lot has already been said about this by boxing experts.”
Joshua will return to the ring on April 1 – he will fight with the American middle man Jermaine Franklin. In the corner of the ex-champion will be a new mentor – American Derrick James.
Joshua said last month, “I’m truly sorry about Usyk.” And his promoter hinted that AJ would replace the Ukrainian and fight Fury. Tyson heard all this and gave an unequivocal answer.