Anthony Joshua recently completed a part of his bucket list to fight three times a year in 2023 following his December 23rd victory over Otto Wallin, and the former unified heavyweight champion has now sets his sight on fighting a surprising four times a year in this new year of 2024. With Francis Ngannou set to be Joshua’s first opponent for the year, the British heavyweight appears set for a very busy year.
Anthony Joshua (27-0, 24 KO’s) made an appearance at the London press conference that announced the March 8th and hinted at Ben Davison becoming a mainstay in his corner following their first successful collaboration on December 23rd.
“It’s really good working with him [Ben Davison], [and] the whole team at the academy,” Joshua stated.
“They’ve helped a lot. I still speak with Derrick James in the States, but being home and having someone just as good; I’m just searching for greatness, really, continually looking for greatness. How I can elevate myself, push forward in every aspect of my game.“
While Joshua refused to confirm whether he permanently switched coaches from Derrick James to Ben Davison, it now appears that Davison is his new head coach for the time being, made easier due to the fact Davison’s gym is in the proximity of Joshua’s home in London.
Joshua’s phrase of “searching for greatness” seems to understate his actions of switching trainers regularly, based on a previous interview he has done where he has said similar phrases when confronted about moving from trainer to trainer.
“I’m searching for greatness. I’m not just hopping around and enjoying myself, I’m actually searching for greatness; trying to improve and Ben Davison is a really good addition to my improvement.” Joshua said in his post-match interview following his technical knockout (TKO) victory over Otto Wallin (26-2, 14 KO’s).
A member of Anthony Joshua’s team also seemed to carry the belief that Joshua has split with Derrick James and will be continuing henceforth with Ben Davison.
“I don’t believe he will,” David Ghansa, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of 258 Management―of which Joshua is a part of―responded when asked on whether Joshua would return to work with James.
“I think we’ve had such a quick turnaround off the success of the last one [fight]. We’re not going to change anything; we’re just going to roll straight back into training camp.“
When asked about how James took the news of Joshua possibly leaving his camp, Ghansa indicated the American trainer and Joshua departed amicably.
“I wasn’t privy to the exact conversation, however, at the time―Derrick [James] had Ryan [Garcia] in camp and the logistics weren’t going to work. Derrick’s an experienced trainer and he understands what the situation is so I know there will be no ill feelings towards anyone, and the show just has to go on.“
Derrick James was in the corner of two out of three fights that Anthony Joshua fights had in 2023, though it was Ben Davison who appeared in Joshua’s corner during his last fight on December 23rd. This partnership has apparently consolidated into a more permanent working relationship, though as Joshua has mentioned, “his search for greatness” might still see him moving from Davison if the situation allows it.
Thus far, Ben Davison seems to have brought out more out of Joshua than James given his last performance over Otto Wallin. However, Joshua’s performance could also be a culmination of Derrick James’ efforts with the British heavyweight over the past year of 2023.
Either way, Joshua seems to prefer Davison whose gym and talents appear to be in closer proximity than James who resides in Dallas, Texas of the USA. However, as Joshua himself has indicated, he is seemingly only looking to improve and his decision seems mostly based on the benefits of Davison’s training off the back of Joshua’s last performance, rather than the ease of accessibility that is now being facilitated given both Davison and Joshua reside in the same city of London.
