Robert Garcia, the former trainer of Anthony Joshua, has speculated that “AJ” and Oleksandr Usyk, the current unified heavyweight champion, may face each other three times.
Joshua’s second tenure as champion came to an end in 2021 after just one title defense against Usyk, who also took back the WBA, WBO, and IBF crowns. The British fighter used his rematch clause to force Garcia to replace longtime trainer Rob McCracken in an effort to regain the belts.
Regretfully, Joshua lost a split decision in Saudi Arabia and was unable to reclaim the heavyweight title, even if his performance had improved.
Joshua is in a good position with the IBF and may fight called as a mandatory challenger later in the year against Filip Hrgovic, so he may get another chance to exact revenge for those losses.
Garcia asserted in an interview with Boxing Social that Joshua can overcome his opponent following his strong showing against Otto Wallin the previous time around.
He is the second most gifted fighter in the [heavyweight] class; he has enormous potential and is powerful and large. However, he lacked confidence, and I believe that his most recent victory over Otto Wallin gave him the confidence he needed.
“I wouldn’t be shocked if he defeated Usyk in a third fight because he fought well, even though he has lost to Usyk. He has to believe that he is the best.”
Garcia continued by saying that he thinks a big part of why “AJ” looked good the last time out was Joshua’s recent activity.
That activity, in my opinion, was the primary factor, and I’m happy that they increased it. The only thing Rudy Hernandez and I told him was to keep Joshua busy and to fight him again immediately away following the fight with Usyk in the locker room, which is exactly what they did. The best thing they could have done for him was to put him through three fights this year.
Prior to any potential trilogy match, Joshua fights Francis Ngannou, the former UFC champion, on March 8 and Usyk faces Tyson Fury on February 17.
