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Former middleweight world title contender Paul Smith believes Anthony Joshua should look for a new trainer ahead of his in ring return.
Joshua (28-4, 25KO) last fought in September 2024 challenging IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21KO) at Wembley Stadium. The defending champion dropped AJ four times on route to a fifth round stoppage victory.
Joshua was the favourite with many heading in to the all British clash but came off second best with trainer Ben Davison receiving major backlash following the knockout loss.
“What I did see and what I did hear on fight night when he lost to Dubois was bad advice from the corner,” said Smith on TalkSport Boxing.
“Ben Davison is a good lad he’s a good trainer, he takes the credit and he’s come out recently and he’s taken the criticism too and he’s admitted that the corner work was really bad, and maybe the preparation, I’m not sure what happens in the gym,” added Smith.
Having already been dropped three times in the opening four rounds, Joshua and Davison discussed rolling the dice as they looked to head out for what would be the fifth and ultimately final round for the challenger, advice many including Smith found reckless.
“To tell Anthony Joshua to go for it when Dubois is still very much live in the fight where three or four rounds (later) its a different opponent, its a different job in front of you, its a different task, but you tell him to roll the dice when he’s already been hurt, already been dropped.
Just bluff your way through the next two or three rounds, let Dubois tire himself out because he’s fighting on nerves ultimately Dubois in my opinion and then you’ve got a better chance,” said Smith.
He added, “I think he needs to change the team around him, I think he needs to get a good trainer around him.”
Jake Paul calls out Anthony Joshua for next fight
One potential future opponent for Joshua is social media star turned boxer Jake Paul who stated he would be interested in a fight against the two time heavyweight champion in 2026.
“I want to fight Anthony Joshua, he doesn’t have a chin and he has no skill and he’s stiff, I love you Anthony we’re friends but I want to fight you,” stated Paul on The Ariel Helwani Show.
Paul defeated legendary former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson back in November with the bout broadcast on Netflix garnering viewership figures of 108million globally according to IMBD.
Although the clash with Joshua is unlikely the challenge has registered the attention of the boxing world and Joshua himself, who posted a screenshot of a phone-call with the American on social media.
