Infamous for Changing Boxing Trainers, Anthony Joshua Reveals Real Reason He Is Choosing Ben Davison Over Derrick James for Francis Ngannou Fight

Ben Davison will continue to train Anthony Joshua, so the report goes. The maverick trainer, who joined the former heavyweight champion heading off to his ‘Day of Reckoning,’ will be at his corner on the March 8 bout against Francis Ngannou, mainly because he did not try to ‘change his style‘.

After parting ways with long-time trainer Rob McCracken, ‘AJ’ roped in Robert Garcia. But the famed trainer’s tenure didn’t go beyond the Usyk rematch. Soon, Joshua joined Derrick James‘ stable. The trainer to Errol Spence Jr., Jermell Charlo, and now Ryan Garcia, helped him sail through Franklin and Helenius’ fights. However, Ben Davison, who lives in England, arrived to help Anthony Joshua in the interim as James got held up with Garcia’s return bout against Oscar Duarte. The ‘Day of Reckoning’ proved beyond doubt that what was deemed a temporary set-up had worked wonders. Hence, why not give another shot to the bold move? Speaking with the media, ‘AJ’ shared his thoughts on proceeding with Davison.

AJ reveals how he was ‘able to gel’ with Ben Davison, as they continue!

Explaining the justification for staying with the English trainer, Anthony Joshua explained that Davison never fiddles with a fighter’s original way of fighting. He elaborated on how he reached a point where he started doing things differently. Ben Davison disagreed with a change. He advised him to continue with what he usually does in the best possible way. ‘AJ’ said, “The reason I was able to gel with Ben is because he doesn’t try to change your style. I went to a stage where I was trying to change my style—a bit of back-foot boxing, box behind the jab, stick and move, not be explosive, control the pace, stuff like that. But Ben was like, ‘That’s not your body type! You’re a f***ing big unit; you’re explosive; go and knock f***ing people out.”

So in essence, Davison, who had reportedly been instrumental in Tyson Fury’s return as well, advocates for Joshua to tailor his fighting style to align with his body type. At the same time, the former heavyweight champion shared that he was discussing the matter explicitly with Derrick James. “I spoke to Derrick and said I’m gonna stay [with Ben] for this fight here because we’ve got another six or seven weeks to go. We’ll work well. That’s kind of how it’s managed to become what it is now“, said Anthony Joshua.

Anthony Joshua returns and marches ahead

After the losses to Oleksandr Usyk, ‘AJ’ had a dream run last year. He won all three bouts. While the first one against Jermaine Franklin went the whole distance, the next two against the Scandinavians, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin, ended in early stoppages. Joshua could finally announce that he’s back to stake his claim in the Big Boys League.

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This year, for starters, he squares up against a boxing novice, who, for all his inexperience in the professional arena, rocked Tyson Fury when they met on October 28. Many claimed that in Riyadh last month, they finally saw Joshua fight the way he used to previously. Probably with an idea to retain that sharpness while remaining true to his original style, he has decided to retain Davison by his side.

Do you think it’s a prudent decision by Team Joshua to stick with Ben Davison? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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