Criticized For Being Too Fond Of Changing Coaches, Anthony Joshua Instead Calls Dillian Whyte The King

British boxer, Anthony Joshua. (Photo: Twitter @anthonyjoshua)

JAKARTA Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has rejected criticism after he was considered to have changed coaches too often. In terms of changing coaches, he said Dillian Whyte was the king.

The two fighters have been scheduled to board the ring on August 12 at the O2 Arena, London, England. It will be the second meeting for the two boxers after 2015.

"Look at how many times he changed coaches. He has changed coaches many times. Maybe he didn't develop at the level he should have or the coaches didn't teach him the things he needed to learn and that wasn't good enough," Joshua said.

"He probably knows it himself. That's probably why he often changes coaches. I thought about this a few days ago. He was with [Chris] Okoh, [Mark] Tibbs, Xavier [Miller], Buddy McGirt, Johnathon Banks," he added.

Joshua himself since 2021 has been recorded for three times changing coaches. He initially separated from Robert McCracken who coached most of his career in 2021 after his first defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

The British boxer then hired veteran coach Robert Garcia. However, after his second defeat to Usyk in 2022 Joshua broke away from Garcia.

Then earlier this year Joshua hired experienced coach Derrick James, who had coached names such as Errol Spence, Jermell Charlo, and Frank Martin. James then led Joshua to victory over Jermaine Franklin in April.

In December 2015, Joshua knocked out (KO) Whyte in the seventh round. Some observers believe that Whyte has experienced a decline in recent years.

He was surprisingly beaten by Alexander Povetkin in 2020, but then took revenge when he beat KO Povetkin in their rematch in 2021.

In April, Whyte was beaten by knockout in six rounds by WBC world champion Tyson Fury. He returned to the ring in November last year and had difficulty securing an absolute number victory over Jermaine Franklin.

However, Joshua believes that Whyte will still be a hassle for anyone. He said whyte could adapt to who the opponent would be.

"I didn't think he had grown massively [since our first game]. However, he defended his standards and it paid off. He did well, very well. It has taken him far," said Joshua.