Roy Jones Jr has revealed that he has had conversations with Anthony Joshua about potentially training him for his next fight. The American boxing legend initially offered to take ‘AJ’ under his wing after his first loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
However, Joshua chose to work with Robert Garcia and long-time assistant coach Angel Fernandez instead. Now, with Garcia recently setting Joshua the ultimatum of relocating to California in order to continue working with him during camps, questions have been raised as to whether the former unified heavyweight champion will switch up his training team.
In a recent interview, Joshua said that he would work with Garcia again but that he wishes to be a ‘free spirit’ and ‘wants to learn as much as possible’. Judging from that answer it is likely Joshua will explore his options ahead of his return to the ring which is expected to take place in March next year.
Hoping to be considered, Jones Jr told iFL TV: “We’re having potential conversations and I told him that it was a great thing for him [to postpone his return]. I think Eddie told him not to fight for a little while and I think that was a great idea because why go back to being the same guy.
“The only thing I can’t give a fighter is heart and I can’t give the want, you’ve got to want it and you’ve got to have the heart to stay when the going gets tough. You get those two yourself, I can get you the skill to go with it.”
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, the winner of Dillian Whyte vs Jermaine Franklin on November 26 is the ‘frontrunner’ to face Joshua in 2023. The Matchroom Boxing chief also disclosed that Otto Wallin and Filip Hrgovic are in consideration as well.