Anthony Joshua praised Robert Garcia as he forms part of his backroom staff for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua is preparing for his clash in the UK ahead of his attempt to win back three world title belts from the Ukrainian.
The pair originally fought back in September 2021, with a surprise upset costing Joshua his IBF, WBA and WBO belts, before the Briton exercised his rematch clause. It was initially expected that a second fight could come as early as February, but complications were exacerbated by the invasion of Usyk’s homeland by Russia, causing him to return home.
Usyk was then given dispensation to leave the country in order to take part in the rematch and he has since been in training while representatives for both fighters have been negotiating details including a location and date, with Saudi Arabia and July 23 often mentioned, though it may be that August is ultimately the month chosen for action.
Garcia is a former junior lightweight champion and he has worked with his brother Mikey Garcia, as well as Jose Ramirez, Jesse Rodriguez and Vergil Ortiz, and runs the Garcia Boxing Academy in the United States.
Joshua had already promoted Angel Fernandez to the head of his training team, and suggests the two-time world champion is aiming for a different approach when the second fight does eventually come around.
Speaking to IFL TV, Garcia explained the move.
“Garcia’s right here now,” Joshua said. “We’re just working on a few things. It’s not about changing style as such, in my opinion. Garcia’s style might be crouch down and bob and weave, but I’m a six-foot-six heavyweight.
“It’s not about changing style, it’s about his experience and what he knows at the championship level, etc. Adding that to the camp is priceless in my opinion.
“The main thing is a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter. I’m in a good place. I’m all good.”
David Ghansa, an associate of Joshua explained: “We’ve had [Garcia] back in the UK on two different occasions.
“He spent two weeks with us in London. He’s been in Northborough for another two weeks. It was actually married through Angel. Angel Fernandez and Robert Garcia, they clicked. Angel liked what Robert has to offer, his experience, their similarities. Ever since they’ve been chopping it up.”
“Now he’s here as part of Angel’s team. I think next week when [Richard Riakporhe] is out you’ll see Garcia in the corner with Angel.
“I guess we have no titles, but they both have mutual respect and understand what they’re doing and what they’re working towards.
“I wouldn’t put any of them above each other but they both understand their positions and where they play with each other. You’ll get a taste of it next week when you see Riakporhe’s corner.”