The DAZN Boxing Show considered whether Anthony Joshua has brought in trainer Robert Garcia early enough to help defeat Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua is expected to fight the Ukrainian three-belt champion in August after his September 2021 defeat.
In addition to promoting Angel Fernandez to number one in his training set up, he also added American trainer Garcia.
Speaking to Chris Mannix, Mike Costello wondered if the move has been made with succificent alacrity and clarity.
He began: “There are two factors here that raise questions, and they are: the introduction of Robert Garcia into the training setup. First of all, how much time will they spend together side by side, not talking over Zoom calls or whatever way of communicating, I think that is absolutely key.
“And secondly, what will be the dynamic between Garcia and Anthony Joshua’s long-time trainer Angel Fernandez, and how will that work between them? Is there a number one and a number two? Are they going to be happy to work together? Crucially what happens on the night, in the corner? I’m a big believer in one respected voice being [heard].
“For Anthony Joshua he needs that one clear voice that he respects. If Robert Garcia can produce a difference of attitude in the gym, it can produce a different performance on the night.
“There seems to be an air of confusion about this. There was an interview that Anthony Joshua did over here, long after this fight against Usyk, and within an hour’s interview there were confused messages.
“First of all there was the need for greater guidance from someone from the United States, and at the same time he talked about just going back to basics and let it rip.
“Maybe it’s not surprising there is this air of confusion with what he’s doing with his backroom team. If he did believe so deeply in Robert Garcia why didn’t he move to California to work out? It’s my view that he put an awful lot of time in in Sheffield where the Olympic team are, and he is treated in godlike fashion. The boxers almost kneel at his feet.
“I’ve always felt he needed to get somewhere rougher, where everyone has professional mindset and it’s harsher, it’s harder.”