Anthony Joshua switching trainers is a ‘huge risk’ ahead of his Oleksandr Usyk rematch, says Eddie Hearn.
Joshua is expected to fight the current IBF, WBA and WBO belts to the Ukrainian last September, and was pictured at a number of gyms in California and Texas amid speculation he would add to his training staff.
Current trainer Rob McCracken’s future with Joshua has not been clarified, and the 32-year-old fighter has been pictured with Floyd Mayweather while in Dubai.
Joshua’s decision was explained by Hearn, who said: “It is a huge risk but if you feel like you need a change and you can't go on in a specific way any more, the alternative is much more risky.
“If AJ didn't make any changes and wasn't comfortable with his approach going into the rematch, I feel like we shouldn't be taking that rematch.
“But the fact he's been so proactive and positive and whatever route he goes down, I know he'll be comfortable with that decision.
“I'm a lot more at ease than with the flip side, which is to leave it. He needs something fresh, he's excited.
“The key thing for him in this fight is being mentally comfortable with his preparation.”
Hearn also expects clarity on McCracken’s future.
“These conversations have been with Rob and AJ,” he said. “AJ made it clear when he said ‘I will be working with a new trainer’.
“Will that be in conjunction with Rob? I think that's to be announced in the coming weeks.”
There have been suggestions that Joshua considered a payoff to allow Usyk to move straight into a fight against Tyson Fury, but Dillian Whyte’s pursuit of a WBC mandatory challenge have rendered the discussion moot.
“Conversations about the whole step-aside manoeuvring keep popping up every now and again, because of the desire to stage an undisputed fight,” Hearn said.
“But, with the Dillian Whyte situation, those conversations become very difficult, because you have another pawn in the negotiations.
“We got to the stage where it was almost like, ‘let's crack on with the original plan’ and that's where we're at.
“We've had two or three offers from different countries to stage Joshua v Usyk but, for me, after the success of the Spurs fight, other than the result, I would love to do that fight back in the UK, possibly at Spurs again or at Wembley, because I feel like it's a must-win for AJ.
“If we had the opportunity to stage the fight in the UK we should do it, and if he can win that fight on that soil it would be pretty special.”