Anthony Joshua’s ex-coach doubles down on criticism of Oleksandr Usyk defeat and says he’s not ‘going to lie about it’

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S ex-coach has doubled down on criticism of his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

Esteemed trainer Robert Garcia replaced Rob McCracken following AJ’s September 2021 loss to Usyk on points.

PAAnthony Joshua with ex-trainer Robert Garcia[/caption]

But for the rematch in Saudi Arabia 11 months later, Joshua was again bettered on the cards, despite an improved performance.

Garcia would later claim in a Spanish-speaking interview that AJ was “mentally defeated” during the final quarter of the bout.

And the American former world champion has reiterated that point.

He told iD Boxing: “Obviously a fighter in the ring is going to be challenged by what people say after the fight.

“Just because I was his trainer, doesn’t mean I’m going to lie about it.

“I wasn’t the only one that said that – he should be mad and frustrated at the whole world – because everyone said the same thing.

“When you have a fighter who does so good in one round, you’re almost about to stop your opponent, it makes a big difference when the next round is totally different.

“There was a lot to be said by so many boxing experts, I’m not the only one who said that.”

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Joshua, 33, is now set to return on April 1 against Jermaine Franklin, 29, and has changed trainers to Derrick James.

He is spending the camp in James’ Dallas gym, home to pound-for-pound stars Errol Spence Jr and Jermell Charlo.

But Joshua returned to London to announce his fight with Franklin and hit back at Garcia’s criticism.

He said to talkSPORT: “I just felt like, Garcia kind of said a lot, which baffled me as well.

“But I’m not a little – what’s a word I can use on this show? I’m not a little boy. I can take it but, at the same time, I can’t talk about you, and you not back yourself.

“So, I said, ‘Nah, some things aren’t adding up to me, certain things that people are saying aren’t adding up.

“I just said, ‘I’m going to make the decision this time, I’m going do it myself.’

“And that’s how I ended up being in this position now where I am based in Texas.

“Going from the process of trying to do it, it not working, then doing it a different way but giving the coach the reins to do it.

“Now I said, ‘I’m gonna do it my way and step away from everything.’”

Trainer Derrick James pictured with Anthony JoshuaRichard Pelham / The Sun