Anthony Joshua Disappoints Derrick James, Set to Fight on December 23rd Under Tyson Fury’s Former Trainer

Hopefully, it appears to be a temporary set-up. After all the Anthony Joshua–Derrick James magic had just started to pay off. Joshua is set for the year’s third fight. As it appears, the much-touted fight with Deontay Wilder has slid into the backburner. Hence, the former world champion has time to face another challenge. Like the last time, this time too, it’s coming from Scandinavia. He will face Otto Wallin on December 23. Reportedly, the WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight champion appears a level above Robert Helenius.

So to prepare himself for the tough southpaw, Joshua seems to have tweaked his current training line-up. He had already signed up with award-winning trainer Derrick James. The duo successfully sailed through the Jermaine Franklin and later the Helenius fights. However, to ward off the Swede, ‘AJ’ has reportedly teamed up with Ben Davison. The famed English trainer has an equally dazzling resume to boast.

An English stick to tame Anthony Joshua

Many credit Ben Davison for Tyson Fury‘s return after he became the unified heavyweight champion. The Englishman has also been responsible for the careers of other champions, such as Josh Taylor and Billy Joe Saunders. So according to an article in the Daily Star, Anthony Joshua and Davison will join hands for the Otto Wallin fight, which takes place in Saudi Arabia.

But the article also suggests that the shift in trainers is just interim. Also, it has the full blessing of Derrick James. The primary reason behind taking Ben Davison appears to be a logistical one. Otherwise, after the Wallin fight, Joshua will go back to his training with the Texan at his den. Providing further details, the article mentioned that Derrick James has under his stable Ryan Garcia.

The young rockstar of boxing joined him after the big loss to Gervonta Davis in April. Till then, he was under the tutelage of Joe Goossen. Garcia has a return-of-sorts fight against Oscar Duarte on December 2 in Houston, Texas. As a result, it made sense for Joshua to continue preparing for the Wallin fight in the UK. It bodes well, instead of him traveling to the United States or James coming to the United Kingdom.

Frequent changes in Joshua’s coaching staff

In the last two years, Anthony Joshua has made frequent changes to his training team. Derrick James happens to be the third trainer, if Robert Garcia and Angel Fernandez could be considered a single unit. Before James, legendary trainer Robert Garcia joined ‘AJ.’ But the partnership lasted for a single fight—the Oleksandr Usyk rematch. Before that, Robert McCracken had been Joshua’s long-time trainer. Unfortunately, their terms came to an end with the first Usyk fight, when ‘AJ’ ceded all his title to the Ukrainian. Even his promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed that there is no change in Joshua’s trainer. Derrick James will remain his permanent trainer.

Read More: Derrick James Isn’t the Only One Anthony Joshua Is Relying on for Honing His Skills Ahead of Possible Deontay Wilder Fight

What’s your take on Anthony Joshua’s training situation? Do you think it’s a timely decision given that he has just a few weeks left for his next bout? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

Watch This Story: Who is Otto Wallin, Anthony Joshua’s opponent for December fight?