Anthony Joshua’s new trainer Robert Garcia could help the former champion win his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, but he may need more time according to Chris Algieri.
The Briton lost the IBF, WBA and WBO belts to the Ukrainian in convincing fashion last September, and a rematch has finally been scheduled for next month after delays caused by negotiations over the venue as well as Usyk’s return to Ukraine following the invasion by Russia.
Joshua was outboxed in the first fight and ahead of the second fight in Saudi Arabia, he has taken on American trainer Garcia, promoted Angel Fernandez to head trainer, replacing longtime colleague Rob McCracken.
Algieri is a former world champion himself, and has trained with Garcia.
He explained the reasons Joshua could benefit from the new trainer, telling Sky Sports : "Pedigree for one. One thing about Robert, he's a consummate professional. He gives his guys so much of himself. A trainer, a former fighter and former world champion as well, he understands what a fighter needs.
"I initially was surprised that was happening, that Robert was going to train AJ. Because Robert is not known for training heavyweights. He doesn't have a lot of heavyweights in his gym. But as I thought more about it, in terms of my personal relationship and also my professional relationship with Robert, it makes sense.
"He's one of those guys, he understands the fight game. He has an eye that's very special, that he can see things in the ring, that he can see talent in certain fighters. He's the kind of guy personality-wise when you speak to him it's: I trust this man, he's going to look out for me, he's going to do what needs to be done. So it makes sense from that point of view. Maybe not so much on paper but in terms of personality it does."
Nevertheless, Algieri wondered if there is enough time for Garcia to make serious changes to Joshua’s approach.
"To get real change in a fighter in one fight, in one camp is truly, truly difficult, especially someone at the level of AJ," he continued.
"But again speaking to the athleticism of AJ and the personality of Robert Garcia, if they are connected, bonded up here [mentally], in terms of their abilities to communicate. Listen, boxing a lot of time a lot of it is simple. It's fundamentals.
"But semantics matters, if AJ understands what Robert's saying whole-heartedly and believes in him, that he's giving him the right instruction, he can make a difference. If there is any kind of communication issue, [there's] not enough time.
"People on the outside are saying, 'He's got that Brandon Rios style, [so Joshua] is going to come forward, he can use his physicality, he's the bigger man.' Rios at 135lbs was a monster. He was just running through guys and beating them up. So a lot of people could think that that would be the way that an AJ would beat Usyk. But I don't necessarily agree," Algieri said.
"I don't think AJ is that type of fighter. I don't think he's that durable, punching tank-like guy who's going to come forward and give as good as he gets. I still believe that he is a great athlete and boxer, so he can go out there and be a boxer-puncher, a true boxer-puncher.
"If he just tries to box Usyk he's going to lose, he's going to get outboxed. But if he's a boxer-puncher, which he actually naturally is, I think he stands a good chance.
"The good thing there is that Robert Garcia was a boxer-puncher when he fought. Even though he trained Brandon Rios the way he did, that wasn't the way Robert fought. Robert was very, very smart, he had power and boxed his way to knockouts. Very similar to how his brother Mikey boxed. So utilising that ability and game plan I think makes perfect sense for AJ in his rematch with Usyk."