Carl Froch: AJ did not sack Rob McCracken as his coach
Upon Anthony Joshua telling Boxing News that Rob McCracken “just didn't teach him defence,” former middleweight champion Carl Froch has responded to the comments.
Speaking to Genting Casino, Froch said that AJ wasn't listening to Rob and had too many people around him in the build up to the first Usyk fight. That second career loss spelled the beginning of the end of their relationship and AJ enlisted Robert Garcia to train him for the Usyk rematch, which also ended in defeat. Now, the Watford man is being trained by Derrick James and the pair are preparing for their second fight together against rival Dillian Whyte on August 12 in London.
Rob McCracken left AJ because AJ wouldn't listen
“People say Carl Froch doesn't have nice things to say about AJ because AJ left Rob McCracken. I've got two things to say to that 1) I couldn't give us a toss who trains him, 2) AJ did not leave Rob McCracken, for all you know Rob McCracken left him. It was a mutual agreement, put it that way. AJ did not sack McCracken. He's the boss. Maybe things happened and Rob didn't want to work with AJ that's why that came about. In the build up to the first Usyk fight, there were many people around AJ, telling him different things, and I think Rob had had enough if I'm honest. I know the situation and I know for a fact that AJ did not get rid of Rob.
“He wasn't listening to Rob before they split. If you're not going to listen and have that respect, then the relationship will break down. Rob knew that Usyk would be their last together. Rob's happy not working with AJ any more because he doesn't want to work with someone who's not going to listen. Rob's not just going to stick around for the money.”
AJ has been boxing's biggest star ever since winning gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games. By 2018, AJ had won four of five heavyweight world titles and was 22-0 with 21 knockouts.
“I think Simon's Jordan's right when he says criticism comes with the territory. You're the former two time heavyweight champion and we expect you to be in big fights and to perform. You're the big bad heavyweight who has a massive name, you're getting a fortune every time you fight, you have a duty to the fans and to sport to: 1) fight credible opponents and 2) put in a shift when you're in that ring. Get in there, believe in yourself and do the business. So criticism comes with the territory, Simon Jordan is right. All of it isn't negative though, it's constructive.'”
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