Anthony Joshua’s new trainer Angel Fernandez out to become ‘best coach in the world’ ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch
ANTHONY JOSHUA’S new head trainer Angel Fernandez is out to become “the best coach in the world”.
Fernandez was brought in as No2 to Robert McCracken in 2019 before AJ beat Andy Ruiz Jr in their Saudi Arabia rematch.
But after Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in September, he was left to reevaluate his coaching team.
AJ has since left McCracken’s Team GB setup in Sheffield and relocated to Loughborough University with Fernandez.
He has promoted the cornerman to head trainer and now shares the gym with Olympian and ex-Team GB sparring partner Frazer Clarke.
And ahead of Joshua’s rematch with Usyk, 1-0 professional Clarke opened up on Fernandez’s aspirations.
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He told the Daily Mail: “The reality with me and Angel is that we bicker a lot, that’s the truth. But we get the work done.
“When we’re in here it’s business, that’s what it’s all about, but we go back and forth. It’s all good energy, though.
“When I say bickering, I’m not saying we’re going at each other, I’m talking pushing each other.
“He pushes me to be a better fighter, I believe me and the other lads in the gym push and encourage him to be the best trainer he can be.
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“That’s what I like about him as a coach: he’s not settling, he’s thriving, he wants to be known as the best coach in the world.”
Joshua, 32, is expected to rematch Usyk, 35, in the summer but the initial July date could be pushed to August.
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed another experienced addition could be added to AJ’s training team.
But Clarke, 30, said: “I’ll tell you who’s going to get the best out of AJ – it’s AJ.
“He could have Donald Duck in his corner, it’s up to him, he’s doing the fighting.
‘The coach can give you the wisdom, game plans and tell you all the right things – and what I’m seeing from both of them, I think that’s definitely there – but ultimately, the fighter’s the one doing the fighting.
“I believe AJ has it in him to win, I believe he believes he can win, and I believe his coach believes he can win.
“That’s the mentality of the gym; there’s no losing fighters in this gym.
“Anyone with a loser mentality in this gym will soon be booted out.
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“Is Angel the right man? We’ll find out in a couple of weeks, if that fight gets made in July, August or whenever it is.
“I believe the combination of both is definitely good enough to do this.”