Carl Froch has been highly outspoken about Anthony Joshua’s decline in confidence. The former super-middleweight world champion believes AJ hasn’t been the same since his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr and has gone as far as to suggest that he will need a ‘brain transplant’ to return to the top.
But Joshua’s former sparring partner and ex-British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion David Price doesn’t subscribe to the same theory. The Liverpudlian believes AJ still has the mindset of a winner and doesn’t expect his confidence to be shot heading into his upcoming clash with Jermaine Franklin on April 1.
Speaking exclusively to Express Sport via DAZN Bet, Price said: “Yeah, there’s big pressure on this fight, but he’s the perfect opponent [Franklin], he’s been carefully selected by his team and by AJ because he’s the perfect style of opponent for AJ to beat really, but I think losing is completely out of the question, I think it would be a massive shock if he was to lose.
“Ok, he’s lost to Usyk in his last two fights, his last fight, he pushed Usyk all the way and he boxed brilliantly I thought. It’s not like he’s been underperforming, he’s just lost to a better man, losing to a better man is not something to be ashamed of.
“I don’t think his confidence should be too bad going into this fight but what he does need to do against someone who’s been handpicked like this is, he’s got to look the absolute part against him. He’s got to do a number on him to make a statement.
“He can’t box to a points win, safety first, like in the Ruiz rematch. This fella hasn’t got hand speed like him, he’s perfect for AJ, one paced, slow feet, his hands aren’t that quick, he might be able to hold a shot or two, but once those 10oz gloves start landing frequently and he lets his hands go, he’s got to look good, so the pressure is on him. Obviously, there’s always a chance something catastrophic could happen in heavyweight boxing but I think his confidence isn’t as bad as people have imagined.”
Providing Joshua gets his hand raised on fight night, the Watford powerhouse will open doors to blockbuster showdowns against Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. Meanwhile, a loss could spell the end of his career.
AJ is set to touch down in the UK over the coming days after spending his entire camp in Dallas, Texas with new head coach Derrick James. According to Joshua, they have been going back to basics together and are expected to adopt a more aggressive approach for the Franklin fight.