Anthony Joshua is sticking with Angel Fernandez as part of his new training regime.
The 32-year-old heavyweight hero is rebuilding his backroom staff after his September 25 defeat to Alexander Usyk.
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Team GB mentor Rob McCracken is set to suffer the most high-profile casualty, as AJ leaves his Sheffield base.
And Joby Clayton—the assistant coach who was heavily criticized for blatantly praising some of Joshua’s worst efforts as he slipped to a unanimous points defeat—has disappeared from Joshua’s crew.
But Fernandez – who trains his charges from Loughborough University – was working out Monday with the former WBA, IBF and WBO champion.
AJ hit the pads with a Spain-born trainer, working on throwing a left hook over the body and helping to inspire some of the youngsters training at the same Leicestershire facility.
Posing with rising heavyweight Matty Harris on Instagram, AJ said: “I’m here to work.
“They always say, if there’s someone you want to meet or train with, you always find them in a place where the hard work goes.
“That’s where hustlers meet.”
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After the Tottenham dethroning – in which 35-year-old Usyk dominated the action despite Joshua’s height, reach and weight advantages – AJ went on a tour of the USA Auditioning Instructors.
Canelo mastermind Eddie Reynoso, defensive guru Virgil Hunter and ex-Mike Tyson trainer Ronnie Shields were spotted on a whistle stop tour of America’s best gyms.
Joshua then moved to Dubai for a warm-weather camp, where he trained with Anthony Wilson at the Binance 1 gym.
And undefeated ring legend Floyd Mayweather also visited a session as he was on a business trip to the United Arab Emirates, where he witnessed a session on the heavy bag.
April was the target month for his rematch, but it’s fast approaching, with Joshua yet to formally announce the new person in charge of the crucial gameplan.
And fellow 32-year-old Chris Eubanks Jr., who enjoyed grueling sessions with his friend in the Middle East, says a drastic change is better than going stale.
“Is this a big risk?” The middleweight was surprised with SunSport. “I think there’s less risk than who he’s with and doing the same thing.
“You have to adjust, improve and grow and sometimes you get stale and too comfortable.
“So AJ is trying to step out of his comfort zone, which is the right thing to do.
“It’s extremely hard to change your fighting style later in life. The younger you are, the easier it will be.
“It is easy to mold you at a young age. It is very difficult to change when you are a seasoned fighter but it can be done.
“You can’t change a 32-year-old, you just can’t, you can change and adjust and learn but your base can’t change.
“When you get hurt, when the going gets tough, your foundation and fundamentals will always be visible. You can join in and improve as a fighter.”
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