AJ set to be without his trainer for Fury clash
ANTHONY Joshua faces the distinct possibility of being without trainer Rob McCracken against Tyson Fury as the muchanticipated all-British heavyweight showdown looks set to clash with this summer’s Olympics.
Eddie Hearn revealed the contest between two fighters who hold all four major world titles – Joshua is the WBA, IBF and WBO champion while Manchester’s Fury holds the WBC crown – is inching towards being announced for late July or early August.
That would place McCracken’s involvement in Joshua’s corner on fight night in significant doubt as GB Boxing’s performance director is scheduled to be in Japan between July 23 and August 8 for the rearranged Tokyo Games.
But Hearn insisted the blockbuster bout coinciding with McCracken’s Olympic duties presents no barrier, leaving the well-renowned coach with a potential tricky choice to make.
“I know Rob takes his position very seriously,” Hearn said. “He loves the job and the kids so it’s not ideal but we can’t move it a couple of weeks either side. Someone is spending a lot of money so we have to go whenever they say.
“We haven’t finalised an exact date, July 24 is the rough date but it may leak into early August but no later than that. It’s impossible to schedule anything without clashing with something.
“I know AJ and Rob have been talking accordingly so I am sure they will work it out.
“The date we get given is when the fight takes place and the guys know it will be around the Olympics, it could be inappropriate but it is the biggest fight in boxing and the biggest moment in AJ’s career. We have to work it out.”