Deontay Wilder trainer calls out 'gun-shy' Anthony Joshua amid talk of super fight
- Rob McCarthy
- 6 April 2023
Deontay Wilder's trainer has called out Anthony Joshua for being "gun-shy" during his underwhelming points win over Jermaine Franklin.
Joshua was unable to KO American contender Franklin at London's O2 arena last weekend, as he returned to the winning column after a difficult period.
'AJ' had faced stern criticism for his two performances against Oleksandr Usyk, and many felt he would return with a more typical power-punching display under new trainer Derrick James.
However, Joshua was forced to go the distance as he looks to get his career back on track in a renewed bid for world titles.
But despite restoring some momentum, Wilder's long-term coach Malik Scott believes Joshua is failing to show his heavy-hitting attributes that saw him rise to become a two-time world champion.
"He comes across as a little bit gun-shy," Scott said during an interview with Boxing King Media when assessing Joshua's recent display in a win over Franklin. "Ever since he fought Ruiz, even when he has looked at his best, in my opinion against [Kubrat] Pulev and Ruiz II, those were still real tactical, safety-first victories for him.
"Ever since that [loss to Ruiz], he has been overthinking in the ring, for someone that big, someone that strong, that can be that imposing on his opponent, that is not a good thing. AJ is not a slick guy, he doesn't punch a little bit hard, he punches very hard. He's a fast guy, he's actually known for being one of the latest heavyweights that puts their punches together very well.
"But why hasn't he been putting punches together well in his last three/four fights against smaller opponents? It is not a physical thing, I don't think it is a trainer thing, I think this is a mental thing."
It remains unclear what calibre of opponent will be next for Joshua, although he continues to be tipped to take on both Wilder and Tyson Fury.
