Anthony Joshua can resurrect career like Wladimir Klitschko did by moving training camp to US, says Ukrainian’s manager
ANTHONY JOSHUA can resurrect his career in the same way Wladimir Klitschko did by uprooting his training camp to America.
That is the expert view of Klitschko’s former manager Bernd Bonte, who helped put the heavyweight and iconic coach Emanuel Steward together.
The Ukrainian looked down and out after defeats to Ross Puritty, Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster.
But under the guidance of Steward at the famous Kronk gym in Detroit, Steward led Klitschko to a nine-year reign in the blue ribband division.
And with AJ, who spent a summer holiday training Stateside, in need of some inspiration in the school of hard knocks, Bonte knows the impact a change of scenery can have.
He said, via Vegas Insider: “When I called Emanuel and set up a meeting between him and Wladimir, the rest is history as we both know.
“With Emanuel’s support and his different tactics and his very close relationship, Wladimir came back stronger than he had ever been before.
“And after that he was undefeated for almost ten years. AJ can do the same.”
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Bonte watched ringside in 2017 as Joshua, 32, sent Klitschko, 45, into retirement following an 11-round thriller.
AJ had to get up the deck, bite down on his gumshield and at times physically beat his now-mentor to the floor.
But fast forward four years and against Klitschko’s countryman Oleksandr Usyk, 34, Joshua aired on the side of caution over 12 rounds.
It saw him outclassed and dethroned of the unified WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles.
To gain revenge and win back those belts, Bonte has urged AJ to get rough and tough, much like he did against Klitschko in that modern classic in front of 90,000.
With Emanuel’s support and his different tactics and his very close relationship, Wladimir came back stronger than he had ever been before. And after that he was undefeated for almost ten years. AJ can do the same.
Wladimir Klitschko's ex-manager Bernd Bonte
Bonte said: “AJ has to fight as the big dog, he has to.
“I mean he’s the bigger puncher, he’s taller, he’s 17 stone he has to fight like the big dog and put pressure on Usyk.
“It’s hard because the guy is a flexible, good counter boxer, but if AJ lets his jab go and throws more combinations and more right hands and puts more pressure on him, takes a higher risk, he has a good chance to win that fight.
“He got too reluctant and in the rematch he needs to go all in, it’s all or nothing. He has to take more risks.
“One thing for sure, if Usyk gets into his rhythm he’s hard to beat so what you have to avoid is that and what you have to be is on him, and to pressure him, and still it’s a very difficult fight.
“I think AJ wins that fight, the rematch. My gut feeling tells me that AJ comes back stronger and wins that fight. On points or a late knockout.”