AJ: I won’t be dropping Rob

ANTHONY Joshua has launched an impassioned defence of his trainer Rob McCracken following the criticism that followed his stunning knockout defeat to Andy Ruiz in June.

The former world champion insists he never considered replacing McCracken, who will be in his corner for the 30-year-old’s rematch in Saudi Arabia on December 7.

The trainer’s tactics were heavily criticised by former world champion Lennox Lewis among others, while the admission that he allowed Joshua to fight on despite fearing he was concussed also drew criticism.

But Joshua, who has had McCracken by his side since he first joined the GB Boxing set-up in Sheffield in 2010, insisted his influence is strong and important enough to prosper even in the wake of such a stunning setback.

Joshua said: “Rob is more than a trainer. He helped me when I got kicked off the GB squad and they didn’t want me back on, but Rob spoke up for me.

“It’s good to have someone around you who can guide you through the snakes and sharks of the industry. Rob has been through it all himself and there are years of understanding between us.”

Joshua has armed himself with a keen sense of perspective in the months following his loss to Ruiz, a late replacement who was considered a mere stepping stone to bigger unification bouts against the likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

“I’ve learned a lot of things from the defeat,” added Joshua. “I’ve learned to take a loss like a man.”