Who Is Anthony Joshua’s New Trainer? All You Need To Know About AJ’s New Trainer Derrick James

Anthony Joshua has teamed up with a new boxing trainer ahead of his 28th professional fight this weekend against American Jermaine Franklin. ‘AJ’ parted ways with Robert Garcia after just one fight together for the Oleksandr Usyk rematch, and has now teamed up with legendary American trainer Derrick James.

Who Is Anthony Joshua’s New Trainer?

Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin headlines this stellar boxing card from the O2 Arena, London, England on Saturday night. All eyes are on the return of ‘AJ’ as he fights for the first time since losing to Oleksandr Usyk for the second time back in August 2022.

This fight will be the first time Joshua has fought at the O2 Arena since back in 2016 in the first defense of his IBF World Heavyweight Title against Dominic Breazeale. Not only that, but this will be Joshua’s first fight since December 2015 that will have no world title belts on the line.

Ahead of this ‘New Dawn’ card, with Joshua set to begin his comeback to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division, the former two-time world champion has teamed up with a new coach. That man is legendary boxing trainer Derrick James.

The 2017 Ring Magazine ‘Trainer of the Year’ will be the man in Joshua’s ear in the corner on the night giving him advice, as well as training him all the way throughout his camp in the lead up to this fight.

Fighters under James are traditionally aggressive, spiteful and are seldom in a mood to hear the final bell. Given these are traits that many feel Joshua has been lacking in recent years, fans can perhaps start to be cautiously optimistic that ‘AJ’ could return to his old self under the American’s guidance.

James was a former fighter himself, competing as a super-middleweight, who retired with a modest professional record of 27-7-1. He never managed to capture any major titles as a boxer himself, but his spell as a trainer tells an entirely different tale.

Derrick James was the Ring Magazine ‘Trainer of the Year’ in 2017. He then went on to win the WBA, WBC and Sports Illustrated ‘Trainer of the Year’ in 2020, amongst a host of other accolades.

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Derrick James Trained Fighters

Now that James has been confirmed as Anthony Joshua’s new trainer, boxing fans are keen to know a bit more about him and what other boxers he coaches. The Texas trainer boasts some of the world’s finest boxers in his stable.

The undisputed light-middleweight world champion, Jermell Charlo, and unified welterweight champion, Errol Spence Jr, are the two leading lights of James’ stable.

James is currently the only trainer in the sport who coaches two multi world title holders, both of whom enjoyed successful years in 2022. Errol Spence Jr added the WBA strap to his WBC and IBF world titles, whilst Jermell Charlo defeated Brian Castano in their undisputed rematch at 154-pounds, stopping the Argentine and thus claiming ownership of all four major world title belts at light-middleweight.

As of today, Franklin is still the huge underdog to win the fight with the best sports betting apps. The majority of people will be back ‘AJ’ to win the fight of course. He is currently priced around 1/10 with the best UK sports betting sites to get back to winning ways this weekend from the O2 Arena.

What a fight we have on our hands from the capital on Saturday night. Finger’s crossed the actual fight lives up to the hype!

Be sure to claim the various boxing betting offers and boxing free bets available on the SportsLens site before this heavyweight dust-up.

RELATED: Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin Purse: How Much Money Will The Winner Make?

Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Fight Information

• 🥊 Boxing Match: Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
• 📊 Records: Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KO’s) | Jermaine Franklin (21-1, 14 KO’s)
• 📅 Date: Saturday 1st April, 2023
• 🕛 Main Event Time: Approx. 10.30PM GMT
• 🏆 Title: N/A
• 📺 TV Channel: UK: DAZN
• 🏟  Venue: O2 Arena | London, England, UK
• 🎲 Fight Odds: Joshua 1/10 | Franklin 15/2

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