Anthony Joshua’s coach reveals date former heavyweight champion will return to ring
Anthony Joshua’s trainer Robert Garcia admits he was impressed by his fighter’s eagerness to get back in the ring straight after his defeat by Oleksandr Usyk.
American coach Garcia, who was brought into the Brit’s team for the rematch with the Ukraine, revealed how Joshua wants to fight again in November but has been told to wait a further month by promoter Eddie Hearn.
“Eddie Hearn entered the [dressing] room to be with us, and one thing that I liked was that Anthony quickly told him that he wanted to fight again, and do it soon”, Garcia told izquierdazo.
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“He told Hearn that he wants to fight in November. Hearn replied that he can arrange a fight for December, not November. But Anthony answered that he wants to fight as soon as possible, because he doesn’t want to be seen as a loser. He said that he wants to be back soon and win.”
Garcia believes December will be the right time for Joshua to return in what will be expected to be against a confidence-boosting opponent to get him back to winning ways.
“It was something that I liked in him”, Garcia said. “Regularly, after a tough fight like this one, a fighter wants to rest four, five, or six months, doing nothing. And then, resume training to fight eight or ten months later.
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“Anthony wants to fight again in November, but Hearn wants December. I think December is better. Anthony said that he wants to fight as soon as possible, because he doesn’t want to be seen as a loser.
“For me, that is the attitude of a great warrior. I liked that he thinks that way. If the fight is in December, there is not much time left, just four months. He can rest for a couple of weeks, but we will keep training, and be in better form for December.”
Meanwhile, Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will come up short if he faces Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title. WBC champion Fury and WBA, IBF and WBO title holder Usyk now look set for a mammoth match up after the Ukrainian beat Joshua for a second time.
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Usyk was superb as he outmanoeuvred the Watford warrior to claim a split decision and move closer to becoming undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
But Fury stands in his way and is the betting favourite for that showdown should it happen. However, Hearn is backing the underdog and believes Usyk will remain unbeaten and become the first to hand Fury a loss.
“I would favour Oleksandr Usyk in that fight,” said Hearn when speaking on The DAZN Boxing Show. “I just think he’s so good. They’re both very intelligent fighters. It’s actually not a very good fight to watch but it’s an intriguing fight to watch. Tyson Fury doesn’t want to fight Usyk, but he may have to because the money is so big.”
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