Anthony Joshua Confirms New Elite Trainer As Only Man To Coach Two Multi-World Champions To Fight Jermaine Franklin

ANTHONY JOSHUA has officially announced Derrick James as his new head coach.

AJ split from Robert Garcia – who replaced his former longtime coach Rob McCracken – shortly after his second straight loss to Oleksandr Usyk last August.

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The Watford warrior searched for a new head coach in America last year and worked briefly with James – the coach of Errol Spence and Jermell Charlo.

And James’ appointment as the key man in Joshua’s corner was confirmed on Wednesday in the announcement of his clash with Jermaine Franklin.

An excerpt from the press release read: “Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) fights at The O2 in London for the first time since 2016 as he begins life under the tutelage of new head coach Derrick James.”

Joshua’s involvement in Franklin was by no means a secret as the pair have been spotted together in multiple social media snaps.

Joshua, 32, will try to pick up the pieces of his career against the hard-hitting American Franklin on April 1 at the O2 Arena.

The fight will be his first since his consecutive defeats by pound-for-pound king Usyk and he is keen to put in a good performance for his new trainer.

The former two-time Unified Heavyweight Champion said: “I want to put on a show and impress my trainer as he has high standards.

“Franklin has good style and a great attitude which he has shown in recent fights.

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He added: “Mentally and physically I feel ready.

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring on April 1st.”

Franklin, 29, said: “I’m ready to show the world why it’s time for me to take my place at the top of the heavyweight division.

“Joshua had his time. It’s my time to shock the world!

“This fight doesn’t go on the judge’s card. I will have win number 22 on April 1st.

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🥊 Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin – date, live stream, TV channel and everything you need to know about the heavyweight fight

“It’s not an April Fool’s joke.”

Losing to Franklin could mean the end of Joshua’s career, with promoter Eddie Hearn admitting: “You go into this fight in April and you know the loss is really over.

“It would be a third loss in a row and yet a great performance and a showroom knockout will have everyone saying, ‘We’re back baby.’

“This is what I can’t wait for because I love it when we have our backs to the wall.

“I’m thrilled. I’m very excited. This is the most exciting thing I’ve experienced on Joshua’s journey so far.”