Joshua looking for a new trainer?

[The Gratest]

https://boxing-social.com/news/shields- ... w-trainer/

Anthony Joshua is actively seeking a new trainer and direction in America, having lost his WBA Super, WBO and IBF heavyweight crowns to Oleksandr Usyk last month.

Robert McCracken’s days as Joshua’s coach appear to be numbered with the recently deposed heavyweight title holder currently trying out highly-regarded Texan trainer Ronnie Shields after recent visits to Virgil Hunter and Eddy Reynoso’s gyms in California.

Shields, who trainers twin world champions Jermall and Jermell Charlo, told Tha Boxing Voice that Joshua contacted him about a possible link-up and that their early dealings have proven positive as AJ seeks to rejuvenate his career and add more devil to his game, having just invoked the rematch clause against Usyk.

“They reached out to me and they asked me would I be interested in taking a look at AJ and he would like to come down to Texas and see if things could work out between him and I,” Shields told Tha Boxing Voice.

“I said, ‘Yeah, no problem, I would love to take a look at him, love to see if we can mesh together’. It would be great to get him to reclaim his world titles that he lost to Usyk and I think I’ve got the capabilities to help him to do that.

“In the last two days, everything seemed to go well. The first day was just all talk, we talked for about three or four hours. And, when he came back today, I told him I wanted to do just some light pad work with him just to show him everything we talked about.

“We watched a few rounds of the Usyk fight together and I just pointed out some things that I thought he should’ve done that he didn’t do. We had a great talk yesterday, today was even greater. There’s something I showed him that he said, ‘Man, I was never taught to do this’.

“It surprises me that a guy who was heavyweight champion of the world don’t know certain things. Like he said, ‘European boxing is different from boxing in the United States’. He realised that he had to come to the United States to get something different.

“Obviously, it wasn’t the right game plan [vs Usyk], I told him he didn’t fight like himself. I think he’s a much better fighter than what he showed in that Usyk fight. I watched a few rounds with him, I told him about certain things and he said, ‘Yeah man, that’s what we should’ve done, but we didn’t do it’.

“I don’t know what their game plan was, but obviously it wasn’t the right one and I guess he didn’t feel like it was the right one so this is why he wanted to make a change.”

According to Shields, Joshua plans to employ his physical advantages and bully the Ukrainian in the rematch, having sought to outfox the master boxer first time around. 

“I’mma tell you the first thing he told me when he came here. He told me, ‘Listen, I know people don’t think I’m a dog, I’m just a pure boxer. Look, I’m gonna be a dog in this next fight’. And that’s his words,” said Shields.

“He told me, ‘I’m gonna be a dog in this fight, I just need you to show me how to be the best dog that you can teach me to be’.”

While McCracken seems to be on the way out, coach Angel Fernandez is set to remain in the Joshua set-up, says Shields.

“I spoke to him about some other guy that came with him,” added Shields. “He explained to me that he really wants this guy there, I told him it’s no problem with me. Angel. He told me he wanted Angel to be with him and I told him, ‘Yeah, it’s no problem’.”

[Enlightened-One]

Yeah, he's been speaking with the likes of Virgil Hunter, Ronnie Shields and Eddy Reynoso. He'll probably speak to more trainers soon.

Robert McCracken probably isn't the problem. It's likely he isn't to blame for Joshua's loss to Usyk.

I strongly-suspect there are too many loud voices conveying mixed messages within Joshua's needlessly gigantic entourage, which are mostly comprised of “Yes” men:

By the way, I don't think this photo includes all the people that are part of AJ's entourage.

Joshua likes to be in charge of his own destiny – being the “Boss”, but he needs to work with people that aren’t scared of telling him his flaws!

I bet one of AJ’s team told him to forget about using his physical attributes, because he could outbox anyone, including Usyk, with Joshua gullible enough to believe the hype generated by members of his own team!

[IRONFIST]

I've been telling him for a long time to get rid of yes man McCracken. Tyson Fury has offered to train him for free to beat Usyk, he should take up that offer if he had any sense.

[Thomastearns]

Yeah, he's been speaking with the likes of Virgil Hunter, Ronnie Shields and Eddy Reynoso. He'll probably speak to more trainers soon.

Robert McCracken probably isn't the problem. It's likely he isn't to blame for Joshua's loss to Usyk.

I strongly-suspect there are too many loud voices conveying mixed messages within Joshua's needlessly gigantic entourage, which are mostly comprised of “Yes” men:

By the way, I don't think this photo includes all the people that are part of AJ's entourage.

Joshua likes to be in charge of his own destiny – being the “Boss”, but he needs to work with people that aren’t scared of telling him his flaws!

I bet one of AJ’s team told him to forget about using his physical attributes, because he could outbox anyone, including Usyk, with Joshua gullible enough to believe the hype generated by members of his own team!

I strongly-suspect there are too many loud voices conveying mixed messages within Joshua's needlessly gigantic entourage, which are mostly comprised of “Yes” men:


This seems to be a recurringly common problem in top level boxing.

A diabolical combination of parasites attracted towards a champion suffering a loss of confidence.

AJ needs to shape up and shut out the idiots.

McCracken is a top coach and he should stay with him.

The real problem is that Usyk is a top heavyweight with no obvious flaws.

The best that Joshua's faced since Klitschko.

AJ does have age on his side, plus power - but not much else. A fight next year should be closer, and that's Anthony Joshua's best chance against the best heavyweight in the world right now.

Otherwise he could consider opting to beat up Tyson Fury next summer instead.

Time is still on AJs side.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Yeah, he's been speaking with the likes of Virgil Hunter, Ronnie Shields and Eddy Reynoso. He'll probably speak to more trainers soon.

Robert McCracken probably isn't the problem. It's likely he isn't to blame for Joshua's loss to Usyk.

I strongly-suspect there are too many loud voices conveying mixed messages within Joshua's needlessly gigantic entourage, which are mostly comprised of “Yes” men:

By the way, I don't think this photo includes all the people that are part of AJ's entourage.

Joshua likes to be in charge of his own destiny – being the “Boss”, but he needs to work with people that aren’t scared of telling him his flaws!

I bet one of AJ’s team told him to forget about using his physical attributes, because he could outbox anyone, including Usyk, with Joshua gullible enough to believe the hype generated by members of his own team!

That looks to me like Hearns' stable of fighters, not Joshua's 'entourage.'

[KiwiRider]

I've been telling him for a long time to get rid of yes man McCracken. Tyson Fury has offered to train him for free to beat Usyk, he should take up that offer if he had any sense.

But terrible if Joshua and Fury do fight.
There are plenty of good trainers out there when you have Joshua money.
Thing is, I think Joshua has all he needs to beat Uysk, but somewhere lost the spiteful dog- it's all in his head.... and a bit more cardio

[jamesmcdonnell]

Yeah, he's been speaking with the likes of Virgil Hunter, Ronnie Shields and Eddy Reynoso. He'll probably speak to more trainers soon.

Robert McCracken probably isn't the problem. It's likely he isn't to blame for Joshua's loss to Usyk.

I strongly-suspect there are too many loud voices conveying mixed messages within Joshua's needlessly gigantic entourage, which are mostly comprised of “Yes” men:

By the way, I don't think this photo includes all the people that are part of AJ's entourage.

Joshua likes to be in charge of his own destiny – being the “Boss”, but he needs to work with people that aren’t scared of telling him his flaws!

I bet one of AJ’s team told him to forget about using his physical attributes, because he could outbox anyone, including Usyk, with Joshua gullible enough to believe the hype generated by members of his own team!

That looks to me like Hearns' stable of fighters, not Joshua's 'entourage.'

[Enlightened-One]

Yeah, he's been speaking with the likes of Virgil Hunter, Ronnie Shields and Eddy Reynoso. He'll probably speak to more trainers soon.

Robert McCracken probably isn't the problem. It's likely he isn't to blame for Joshua's loss to Usyk.

I strongly-suspect there are too many loud voices conveying mixed messages within Joshua's needlessly gigantic entourage, which are mostly comprised of “Yes” men:

By the way, I don't think this photo includes all the people that are part of AJ's entourage.

Joshua likes to be in charge of his own destiny – being the “Boss”, but he needs to work with people that aren’t scared of telling him his flaws!

I bet one of AJ’s team told him to forget about using his physical attributes, because he could outbox anyone, including Usyk, with Joshua gullible enough to believe the hype generated by members of his own team!

That looks to me like Hearns' stable of fighters, not Joshua's 'entourage.'

Do your research rather than keep repeating the same ficticious claims!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxin ... arker.html

The vast majority of those guys aren't even boxers, shows how much you know about the sport!

[H8Usernames]

When did this "new trainer" thing save anyone? Ok it saved Lennox Lewis who had a ton of technical knowledge and natural talent to work with.

Didn't save Naseem. Didn't save Michael Grant. Didn't save Junior Jones. Not Chrissie Eubank jr. Nobody really.

Now the bigger question is. What trainer out there really could save this fellow. Actually I know of one but he doesn't get mentioned much in the boxing mainstream media. Other than that guy.... I just can't think of anyone. These trainers, if they were so great they would just mass produce champions like there was no tomorrow, what would they need Joshua for. Joshua's problem is his fundamentals, they suck.... I know that I myself could set the fellow straight but I'm just someone who writes on a internet bb. If AJ's handlers are out there though, drop me a private message, I guarantee I'll get AJ that win over Usyk.

[Monzon83]

I think he needs a psychologist not a trainer. He once walked to the ring looking like he was about to ruin somebody. Now he's kissing babies and hugging old ladies.

The Dillian fight was the last time he looked like he was going to the ring to actually beat the shit out of somebody. He needs to find that version of AJ again. Whether he can or not is debatable, he's now got more money than god and if you're not a natural fighter like Fury it's hard to keep that.

Far greater boxers than AJ have lost that 'dog' they had in them and once it's gone you don't normally get it back.

[Mexi-Box]

I actually think Vergil Hunter would be a great match for Joshua, especially in an effort to become more defensively sound. He's also kind of the "fight whisperer" (anyone remember that cringe video that made even Andre Ward uncomfortable?) so also doubles up as a psychologist .

[margaret thatcher]

vh is big on fighters not taking many chances and playing the minimum risk game to get the win, not sure thats what aj needs now vs usyk, if anything its the opposite. though i know verg would be very excited to help josh try to beat a white boi

[lazboy]

I actually think Vergil Hunter would be a great match for Joshua, especially in an effort to become more defensively sound. He's also kind of the "fight whisperer" (anyone remember that cringe video that made even Andre Ward uncomfortable?) so also doubles up as a psychologist .

I think he’s the most overrated trainer there is. Bad choice for AJ.

[DrDuke]

Whoever he signs with, the best lesson will again by given by Usyk.

[HomicideHenry]

I think he needs a psychologist not a trainer. He once walked to the ring looking like he was about to ruin somebody. Now he's kissing babies and hugging old ladies.

The Dillian fight was the last time he looked like he was going to the ring to actually beat the shit out of somebody. He needs to find that version of AJ again. Whether he can or not is debatable, he's now got more money than god and if you're not a natural fighter like Fury it's hard to keep that.

Far greater boxers than AJ have lost that 'dog' they had in them and once it's gone you don't normally get it back.

He needs to be more aggressive, but he has yet to learn how to be effectively aggressive. I'm reminded of Wladimir Klitschko, following his losses to Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster.

He never again was really the aggressive Wladimir Klitschko that we saw go from gold medalist to being WBO champion.

The only time he really got aggressive like he was in his youth was against Joshua, but quickly reverted back to playing textbook boxer letting AJ off the hook when he shouldn't have.

Joshua certainly has the size and power and abilities to win the rematch--- it's just a matter of being effectively aggressive, and being in greater cardiovascular shape.

The latter is achievable, the former is the hard part. Can he really be "the boss" in that ring knowing the other guy is not only faster than he is, but can hurt AJ too?

This isn't the Andy Ruiz situation, where the man who beat you is going to come in grossly out of shape. In fact you can bet the farm Usyk is going to be even more prepared and in better shape than the last time--- I suspect he's going to come in and try to knock Joshua out this time.

So the task is quite difficult. Joshua has got to be first and strike often. And there can't be no let up because the moment Joshua puts on the brakes to try to catch his breath that is when Usyk is going to strike with multiple combinations.

But at the end of the day the Ukrainian is only a man and he can be hurt. If Joshua could bust him up a little bit without throwing that many shots of consequence in the first match, he could certainly put Usyk on his ass if he lets his hands go.

He's just got to be effectively aggressive. Not coming in brawling. Kind of like Fury was effectively aggressive against Wilder in their second fight.

[margaret thatcher]

If Joshua could bust him up a little bit without throwing that many shots of consequence in the first match, he could certainly put Usyk on his ass if he lets his hands go.

he marked him up but never really had him hurt or looking remotely close to going down, kinda like wallin gruesomely cut and swelled up fury without throwing very much, but didnt really look like he was gonna drop him or ko him clean, although he did buzz fury in round 12

with aj its a tough balance, he should be more aggresive for sure, but he doesnt have the stamina to allow him to be too gung ho. one thing he should do more is lean on usyk, try put weight on him in clinches, etc. he has that extra size on uzzy, he needs to put it to use whenever he can

even in fight 1, not exactly throwing the kitchen sink, josh still was running on low energy over the last 4 while usyk ran away with it.

[Evander]

Joshua should have put on that extra weight for Usyk.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Joshua should have put on that extra weight for Usyk.

Why, how will that help?

Extra weight will just further deplete his stamina.

It's his tactics need changing, not his body composition.

[Evander]

Joshua should have put on that extra weight for Usyk.

Why, how will that help?

Extra weight will just further deplete his stamina.

It's his tactics need changing, not his body composition.

It's both

[lazboy]

If Joshua could bust him up a little bit without throwing that many shots of consequence in the first match, he could certainly put Usyk on his ass if he lets his hands go.

even in fight 1, not exactly throwing the kitchen sink, josh still was running on low energy over the last 4 while usyk ran away with it.

I agree with the other things you wrote but I really think Usyk Aj 1 one of the most intensely paced heavyweight fights I I’ve seen in some time. They didn’t rest, it was non-stop. Fair call to say he didn’t throw the kitchen sink but I completely get why he was fatigued.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Joshua should have put on that extra weight for Usyk.

It wouldn't have helped.

He's strong enough at his current weight to physically impose himself. Extra weight will reduce his mobility, and the extra muscle won't increase his punch power, if it did, then all heavyweights would look like bodybuilders. Joshua already has too much bulky muscle, despite trimming down, he clearly does too much resistance training, as his cardio output is not great.

He should if anything, come in slimmed down further, and up the intensity so that he can put pressure on Usyk from the opening bell. In the early rounds, he should take some risks, and work the body, arms, shoulders, to try and reduce Usyks mobility, so he can't move all night. Gambling on an early stoppage is probably not going to work, Usyk is too good to allow himself to be overwhelmed, but Joshua can cut off the ring and try and tire him out, so that in the latter half of the fight, when his own tank starts to empty, Usyk's own is also depleted, and make it a closer fight.

Joshua spent far too much of the last fight following Usyk around, rather than cutting him off, he needs a trainer to show him how to stop Usyk from having breathing space.

[Thomastearns]

Another problem that the Joshua camp need to address is the frightening possibility that Usyk might improve yet again for their rematch.

The Usyk doubters, and I was one of them, have to acknowledge the quite remarkable achievements of this quite remarkable boxer.

Usyk may well be the most underestimated boxer of the last decade. No doubt some of this is due to no one having seen anything like this before.

His achievements on the road are up there with anyone's.

If Joshua is to defeat him, then we'll need to see the best ever Anthony Joshua. He was good in their fight, very good, but Usyk was just a bit better.

No previous version of AJ can defeat Usyk. The real problem is that we fans don't want to see the Joshua of the Parker and Ruiz 2 fights, but that's the version that gives Usyk the most problems.

Usyk on the other probably wants no more than 2 fights - AJ and Fury.

Fury, like everyone else only wants to fight AJ.

That's where the biggest money is.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Another problem that the Joshua camp need to address is the frightening possibility that Usyk might improve yet again for their rematch.

The Usyk doubters, and I was one of them, have to acknowledge the quite remarkable achievements of this quite remarkable boxer.

Usyk may well be the most underestimated boxer of the last decade. No doubt some of this is due to no one having seen anything like this before.

His achievements on the road are up there with anyone's.

If Joshua is to defeat him, then we'll need to see the best ever Anthony Joshua. He was good in their fight, very good, but Usyk was just a bit better.

No previous version of AJ can defeat Usyk. The real problem is that we fans don't want to see the Joshua of the Parker and Ruiz 2 fights, but that's the version that gives Usyk the most problems.

Usyk on the other probably wants no more than 2 fights - AJ and Fury.

Fury, like everyone else only wants to fight AJ.

That's where the biggest money is.

I was thinking that, Usyk's a thinking fighter, and he won't have forgotten just how dominant he was in that last round. He's seen what joshua has to offer, and I think he will be more aggressive second time around.

[KiwiRider]

Another problem that the Joshua camp need to address is the frightening possibility that Usyk might improve yet again for their rematch.

The Usyk doubters, and I was one of them, have to acknowledge the quite remarkable achievements of this quite remarkable boxer.

Usyk may well be the most underestimated boxer of the last decade. No doubt some of this is due to no one having seen anything like this before.

His achievements on the road are up there with anyone's.

If Joshua is to defeat him, then we'll need to see the best ever Anthony Joshua. He was good in their fight, very good, but Usyk was just a bit better.

No previous version of AJ can defeat Usyk. The real problem is that we fans don't want to see the Joshua of the Parker and Ruiz 2 fights, but that's the version that gives Usyk the most problems.

Usyk on the other probably wants no more than 2 fights - AJ and Fury.

Fury, like everyone else only wants to fight AJ.

That's where the biggest money is.

I was thinking that, Usyk's a thinking fighter, and he won't have forgotten just how dominant he was in that last round. He's seen what joshua has to offer, and I think he will be more aggressive second time around.

Agree
When you see you can hurt the other guy, as well as out box them- then Uysk will be brimming with confidence the next time they fight.
I would not be surprised if there js a Uysk stoppage mid to late fight, I will put money on it if the odds are at least reasonable.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Another problem that the Joshua camp need to address is the frightening possibility that Usyk might improve yet again for their rematch.

The Usyk doubters, and I was one of them, have to acknowledge the quite remarkable achievements of this quite remarkable boxer.

Usyk may well be the most underestimated boxer of the last decade. No doubt some of this is due to no one having seen anything like this before.

His achievements on the road are up there with anyone's.

If Joshua is to defeat him, then we'll need to see the best ever Anthony Joshua. He was good in their fight, very good, but Usyk was just a bit better.

No previous version of AJ can defeat Usyk. The real problem is that we fans don't want to see the Joshua of the Parker and Ruiz 2 fights, but that's the version that gives Usyk the most problems.

Usyk on the other probably wants no more than 2 fights - AJ and Fury.

Fury, like everyone else only wants to fight AJ.

That's where the biggest money is.

I was thinking that, Usyk's a thinking fighter, and he won't have forgotten just how dominant he was in that last round. He's seen what joshua has to offer, and I think he will be more aggressive second time around.

Agree
When you see you can hurt the other guy, as well as out box them- then Uysk will be brimming with confidence the next time they fight.
I would not be surprised if there js a Uysk stoppage mid to late fight, I will put money on it if the odds are at least reasonable.

Yes, it reminded me a little bit of the 1st Pacquaio v Morales fight, when right at the end, Paquiao finally wobbled Morales. Had Morales boxed to order like his corner wanted, Pacquaio might never have thought he could hurt him.

Incredible to think that fight was 16 years ago, and Pacquaio only retired this year - what a career Manny has had, unbelievable.