Anthony Joshua's new trainer Robert Garcia explained how the former heavyweight champion has changed his approach going into his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk defeated the Briton last year in North London in a surprise upset, but such was the dominant nature of the Ukrainian's victory that Joshua is the clear underdog for the fight in Saudi Arabia next month.
The pair had been expected to fight as soon as February 2022, but negotiation delays rolled into the war in Ukraine following Russia's invasion, and Usyk returned to his homeland to defend the country.
He has since left in order to train for the second fight with Joshua.
One change that Joshua made, in addition to Angel Fernandez to head up his training setup, was to add American trainer Garcia.
Garcia observed that there has been a new focus for Joshua after limiting his plan of attack for the first fight.
Garcia explained the change in mentality.
“You know what? I think he wasn’t thinking, and prepared to win the fight,” he said to Secondsout.
“From what he told me, he was just thinking of going all 12 rounds. He never thought, ‘I got to win the fight. I just need to go 12 rounds.’ So that makes a big difference.
“Now, he’s thinking of winning and thinking of hurting somebody. That’s the most important thing. He’s got to be confident with his team."