Oleksandr Usyk ‘doesn’t care’ about Anthony Joshua’s search for a new trainer, reveals manager

Oleksandr Usyk is not the least bit interested in who Anthony Joshua turns to in his search for a new trainer, according to the Ukrainian’s manager.

Usyk outclassed Joshua over 12 rounds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September to become the new IBF, WBA and WBO champion, as the latter lost his world titles for the second time in just more than two years.

The defeat raised questions regarding his tactics in north London against the Ukrainian, with the future of Rob McCracken – who guided Joshua to his Olympic gold medal as well as the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts – still unclear.

Joshua (centre) scoured America last month for a new trainer who might help him retrieve the world heavyweight titles he lost to Usyk

Joshua admitted last month he was scouring America for a new trainer who might help him retrieve the world heavyweight titles he lost after triggering a rematch clause, and was seen at work in the gyms of four elite trainers in the US – Ronnie Shields, Virgil Hunter, Eddie Reynoso and Robert Garcia. 

But speaking via a Q&A on Instagram, Alexander Krassyuk has revealed how Usyk reacted to the news that his rival could have a new coach in place for their rematch.

When asked on Instagram: ‘Has Usyk said anything about Joshua changing trainers for the second fight’, his manager Krassyuk replied: ‘He has. He’s said he doesn’t care,’ followed by a shrug emoji.

Krassyuk also said last month Usyk was plotting a fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury after facing Joshua again following the Gypsy King’s win against Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas.

But on Instagram, Usyk’s manager Alexander Krassyuk insists he is not losing any sleep over it

Krassyuk said last month that Usyk was also plotting a fight against WBC champion Tyson Fury

‘It will be after Usyk defeats AJ in the rematch,’ his promoter Alexander Krassyuk told Sky Sports.

But when asked if the Ukrainian was excited to face Fury and whether he had already developed a gameplan to beat him, Krassyuk insisted his focus remains on the expected rematch against Joshua.

Krassyuk added: ‘At the moment he is excited to fight AJ and is focused on @anthonyjoshua only.’ 

Speaking recently to the Independent, Usyk himself confirmed the second showdown with Joshua is likely to take place in spring.

He said: ‘The rematch is going to happen. The promoters are going to deal with the dates and everything. The nearest it will be is spring, or close to that.

‘I don’t think about my opponents or their changes. I think about myself and how I can become at least a little bit better every day.

But Krassyuk insisted Usyk’s current focus is on Joshua and not the Gypsy King (centre)

‘I had felt amazing backstage, I enjoyed the walk to the ring… and even when I saw the crowd cheering, it didn’t matter if it was pro-Joshua or not. The night was a perfect ensemble of everything that happened that day.’

Should Usyk get a second victory over Joshua, it could instead line him up to have the unified title bout with Fury down the line.

Usyk said: ‘Of course, it’s not always good to think about another opponent when you have a fight lined up but what I like about Fury is his boxing competence.

‘Stylistically, he’s very technical. He’s educated in the ring. I think it would be a good fight, I’d have to bring my best game.’