George Foreman says Anthony Joshua looked confused and afraid in his loss to Oleksandr Usyk last Saturday night in London, England.
The former two-time heavyweight champion Foreman feels that Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) has lost his identity in going from being a puncher to that of a boxer.
Joshua doesn’t seem like he’s comfortable with the new style that he’s adopted, and we saw the negative results last Saturday night with AJ losing a 12 round unanimous decision to challenger Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium in London.
Foreman believes that Joshua could get help training camp. He says he can keep his trainer, but get someone to help him.
Joshua has been loyal to his longtime trainer Rob McCracken all these years but since his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, there have been calls from fans for him to sack Rob.
“Saw the Joshua/Usyk fight: AJ seemed afraid? He lost his identity. (should I be cautious (go 12) attack with my power?) Who are you AJ?” said George Foreman @GeorgeForeman.
“AJ just seems confused I’ve been there; too many in his ear. Make up your mind and be yourself. “A puncher,” said Foreman.
Joshua is going to need to rediscover his old fighting style before he meets up with Usyk in a rematch next Tuesday. If Joshua loses that fight, his career could be over.
Joshua’s loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in June 2019 did something to him, as he’s been a different fighter ever since then.
If McCracken is behind Joshua changing his fighting style, he needs to let him know it’s not working for him. Joshua probably won’t fire McCracken, but he should tell him that he wants to go back to his old fighting style.
Foreman never really changed his own fighting style during his career. He started as a slugger and ended as one. But in the second part of Foreman’s career, he used his jab a lot more than he had in the first part.
Foreman’s hand speed slowed in his 40s, and he was carrying around too much fat. That’s why he needed to use his jab more than he did when he was younger and was agile and faster.
“Joshua has a future, and lots of ability; but he has got to learn to push his own buttons,” said Foreman. “Some corners are just waiting on their fees; while we push for our destiny.
“Just need help in training; that much on the line you need big training camp. Keep his trainer, but bring in Help.
“Well High congratulations to the Heavyweight King. Usyk is the future for boxing now. “Come and get me” He can say now to them all.
Joshua has the money to get a top trainer to help him prepare for his rematch with Usyk in early 2022. As long as McCracken doesn’t take offense with Joshua adding another coach to his team, he should do so.