ROBERT GARCIA knew Anthony Joshua was destined for greatness long before the Brit captured his first heavyweight title.
The American, 47, has been brought in to prepare AJ for his high-stakes summer rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, replacing the axed Robert McCracken.
The pair have already had two secret training stints in the UK – both of which reaffirmed Garcia's thoughts when he first laid eyes on AJ in London seven years ago.
He told Little Giant Boxing: "Since the first time I met him; I knew who he was because he won a gold medal [at the Olympics].
"But [Evgeny] Gradovich fought in London and Anthony Joshua fought on that same card.
"I think Anthony Joshua was like 8-0 or 9-0. So he was just a beginner.
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"Obviously, he was already a superstar coming off with the gold medal, but I didn't know who he was.
"But when I saw him come to the weigh-ins – the way he looked.
"I was like, 'I don't know who that is, but that fighter right there, I know he's special.'"
Joshua's attitude and demeanour before his two-round battering of Kevin Johnson left a lasting impression on the soft-spoken but stern Garcia.
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He said: "Just the way he walked, the way he looked and the way he smiled. He smiled at everybody and shook everybody's hand.
"And I said, 'That kid is special. Whoever he is, he's special.'
"Then I was there, saw him fight and he took care of business. I've always been a believer in him because he's got so much talent."
Garcia has coached a whopping 14 fighters to world titles but has yet to guide a heavyweight to championship gold.
But the challenge of ending his personal heavyweight drought, as well as masterminding Usyk's first professional defeat, is one the Californian is relishing.
He said: "It's a big challenge for me because this is my first time taking a heavyweight to fight for a world title. So it's kind of like a dream come true.
"I've had champions in almost every weight division from 105 to 108, to 112 to 115, 118, 122, 126 and 135lbs.
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"I think I'm just missing cruiserweight, light-heavyweight and super-middleweight. Those are the three I'm missing plus heavyweight.
"But having a heavyweight champion is the top of the line. I'm excited."
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