Anthony Joshua has been told not to face Deontay Wilder next by prospective new trainer Roy Jones Jr. Wilder has been teased as a potential opponent for AJ in 2023 but Jones Jr thinks that the Brit needs more time to build his confidence back up again before taking on the challenge.
The boxing legend is among those in consideration to work with Joshua going forward after axing head coach Robert Garcia. Joshua is currently touring America in search of a new lead and was recently pictured working out with renowned trainers Virgil Hunter and Derrick James.
Jones Jr believes he is the best fit for Joshua and affirms that if he was given the job, he would make sure the Watford powerhouse had a few tune-ups before jumping back into the deep end again.
“He can’t go into a Deontay Wilder fight after losing two fights to Usyk. That doesn’t make any sense at all,” he told iD Boxing. “Now if you find someone who isn’t quite the puncher that Wilder is, get yourself back and back to winning.
Joshua is expected to return to the ring in either March or April of next year at the O2 Arena, London. His next opponent is yet to be officially disclosed although it is understood that Dillian Whyte is the frontrunner.
Besides Wilder, promoter Eddie Hearn has also mentioned Zhang Zhilei, Filip Hrgovic, Otto Wallin and Demsey McKean in the same conversation with Chris Arreola and Gerald Washington claiming that inquiries have been made into their services as well.