In a recent, exclusive conversation with Boxing News, boxing coach Robert Garcia offered his unique insights on a variety of significant subjects. These ranged from his views on the highly anticipated rematch between Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte to his opinions on Joshua’s criticism of his former trainers, including Garcia himself.
Garcia, commenting on the impending Joshua-Whyte bout, expressed deep admiration for Joshua’s capabilities:
“I have always said that Joshua is immensely gifted. He possesses remarkable power, a quality perhaps underestimated by the boxing world and the fans alike. I have personally experienced it, and his strength is indeed overwhelming. An athlete like Anthony, with his extraordinary athleticism and commanding power, can conclude a fight with just one knockout punch. I believe this is what we’ll witness in his next fight.”
Addressing Joshua’s recent remarks about his previous trainers, Garcia remained unflustered and highly respectful of Joshua:
“I had the privilege of observing him when he was in his early career, around his eighth or ninth fight in England. I immediately recognized the superstar in him. Everything about him – his looks, his physique, and the way he fought – clearly demonstrated his natural talent and skill. These were the only indications I needed. Irrespective of who’s coaching him now or who coached him in the past, he is destined to be a formidable boxer because he’s already accomplished so much.”
Reflecting on Joshua’s bout against Usyk, wherein Garcia was part of Joshua’s team, he provided his own analysis:
“He undeniably performed better than in their first encounter, and this isn’t just my personal opinion – the entire boxing world agreed. Boxers are known to have varying views. However, I wasn’t completely satisfied with what I saw in his training camp, and I expressed my concerns to his team, ultimately requesting them to send me back. I didn’t want to be part of that environment.”
Discussing the constant switches in Joshua’s coaching staff, Garcia shed light on an intrinsic reality of the sport:
“It’s a harsh truth in boxing that a single fight or one poor performance is all it takes for a trainer’s credibility to be questioned. Such is the volatile nature of this sport. Despite the large number of boxers out there, a single flawed performance can tarnish your reputation.”
Finally, when the conversation veered toward the upcoming Spence vs Crawford showdown, Garcia was contemplative:
“It’s a difficult prediction to make…”
Full interview:
