Anthony Joshua hints at problems behind the scenes after Oleksandr Usyk defeat

Anthony Joshua has hinted issues among his coaching team may have played a part in his loss to Oleksandr Usyk last month.

Joshua suffered his second professional defeat when he was beaten by Usyk for the unified heavyweight title, and he believes his cornermen have some issues to sort out as he prepares for his rematch.

Rob McCracken is his head coach, while he has also enlisted the help of Angel Fernandes and Joby Clayton.

And Joshua believes they must improve their relationship as a team ahead of his next bout with Usyk, which is expected to take place in March or April.

"In all honesty, they're still trying to make that relationship work," Joshua told iFL TV.

"So, what I want to do is step away and let these guys sort out whatever they need to sort out, and I need to go and get some new teachings.”

He brought in Fernandes and Clayton as extra support, with many calling Fernandes the mastermind behind his successful title rematch with Andy Ruiz in 2019.

"I just looked at myself and said I just need to get out of this comfort zone," Joshua continued.

"You know, we bring in international sparring partners and I have good tough sparring, but when I spar them, I'm only getting information from Rob.

"So, if he tells me box this way, box that way, I'll do it because that's his way of teaching."

And Joshua said that the reason he went to America over the last month to visit coaches was an effort to learn more and take it back to his camp.

He told McCracken about his plan, and is not ruling out bringing another experienced coach into his team.

"I said, “Rob, look, I got to go out there and I've got to find a new coach to work with and learn from as well'," Joshua continued.

"I'm not basing myself in the states. I'm a UK resident, I'm not living out in the states.

"So, to find a new coach must mean I train 11 months, 10 months out of the year and for me, I'm not going out to the states to live and find a new coach.

"I might go out there. I'm probably going to shoot out there again and do some training.

"Rob's in Lithuania or something like that or Siberia, like so I've got to find other ways to keep myself busy."

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He said that he works with the pair to foster a learning experience in his camp that goes beyond the remit of just McCracken's style.

"That's why I work with Angel, that's why I work with Joby because I looked at it and I needed to create an environment where I can continue progressing as a fighter and learning new teachings," he explained.

"Joby's got a great philosophy, the loose and heavy 70's style rhythm and flow, back foot balance.

"Angel's got the great reaction, repetition training and angles punching off the line.

"Rob's got the experience to get me ready for a 12-round fight.

"So, I looked at how I could create a team, but still have Rob as the Alex Ferguson the gaffer."

Joshua and Usyk's rematch looks set for the first quarter of next year, with the winner likely facing either Tyson Fury or Dillian Whyte for the undisputed title towards the end of the year.

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