Robert Garcia must solve Anthony Joshua’s problems to solve Oleksandr Usyk puzzle

The selection process for Joshua’s new coach, a process that took the Briton across the pond, generated speculation and intrigue in equal measure. It became arguably the most curious narrative of the build-up to the rematch. Eventually, Garcia became the newest addition to Joshua’s team, the man tasked with reversing the result of last year’s showdown in London and doing what no coach has done: find a way past Usyk. With Joshua’s long-time trainer Rob McCracken having stepped away from the 32-year-old’s coaching set-up, Angel Fernandez will take on a more prominent role alongside Garcia.

Anthony Joshua smashes a punching bag out of Angel Fernandez’s hands

But make no mistake, any credit or blame for the result of Joshua’s rematch with Usyk will be placed on the shoulders – there they are again – of Garcia and Joshua, much more so than on those of Fernandez.

In 2019, when Joshua avenged his June stoppage defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr with a points win over the Mexican-American six months later, McCracken rightly ensured that “AJ” traded a reckless, knockout-orientated approach for a more measured and disciplined one. The revised gameplan paid off, as Joshua jabbed Ruiz Jr to pieces in Riyadh, rather than propelling himself onto Ruiz’s gloves as he had in New York City.

For Garcia, the objective is the opposite. The American must ensure that Joshua avoids any attempt to outbox Usyk. Of course, that is an oversimplification; simply encouraging Joshua to take a more aggressive approach will not solve the Briton’s problems or Usyk’s puzzle. Usyk thrived in the first fight by using his slicker footwork and superior speed to create inventive angles from a southpaw stance and a lower height. The unbeaten Ukrainian also employed incessant feints to make Joshua feel like he was fighting on the back foot even when he wasn’t. To be clear, however, “AJ” was in fact on the back foot for much of the fight, Usyk keen to be first in as many exchanges as possible.

If Joshua is able to initiate more clinches and be rough with Usyk in close, perhaps the Briton can blunt the sharpest skills of the former undisputed cruiserweight champion. At any other range, even a more aggressive approach is unlikely to aid Joshua, who will still be the slower, less mobile, less creative and less relaxed combatant. In fact, a more front-foot-focused tactic may leave Joshua vulnerable to being stopped himself.

Oleksandr Usyk nearly stopped Joshua in the last round of their first fight

Garcia is used to working with fighters of lighter weights. The 47-year-old – a one-time Trainer of the Year – was himself a super-featherweight world champion in the 1990s and is known for his strategic acumen as a coach. The American has coached numerous world champions, including his brother Mikey as well as Jose Ramirez, Antonio Margarito and Victor Ortiz. If Garcia could gift Joshua some of his own fighting attributes – or those of his past trainees – then “AJ” would surely be the favourite in Jeddah.

Instead, Garcia must maximise the qualities that Joshua already possesses. The Briton, for all the fair criticism of his rudimentary shot selection, is technically impeccable. The punches that he does land exhibit very little wind-up and are clinical, nearly robotic – but not in the negative way that some observers have suggested over the years. Joshua also carries almost unrivalled power in the heavyweight division. Although Usyk has added weight for this rematch, Joshua is stronger than his fellow Olympic gold medalist, who felt the 32-year-old’s power intermittently in their first fight. Joshua appeared to sting Usyk several times, but he was unable to produce such effective shots in great enough multitude or quick enough succession to set up a finish. A more ‘aggressive’ approach may at least produce the correct kind of volume of output and consistency of clean strikes.

Joshua notably did not target Usyk’s body very often last September, and fierce shots to the Ukrainian’s mid-section – including as many as possible in the clinch – would mark an advisable strategy in slowing down the champion and carving openings to his head. At the very least, throwing such offence would give Usyk something else to think about; in the pair’s first bout, Joshua was the doing all the thinking – too much of it (one reason for Joshua’s inability to string together his best punches). Joshua was hesitant to engage. Among the valid criticisms of the 32-year-old is also an inability to adapt particularly well in real time, so Joshua must ensure that he leads the dance and forces Usyk into a Plan B.

Former cruiserweight champion Usyk has bulked up for his rematch with Joshua

That may seem to contradict the suggestion that even a more positive approach might not be enough for Joshua – that it may even see him stopped. Therein lies the most frustrating factor for Joshua: His best option is still a bad one.

So, on Saturday night, Garcia will guide Joshua through the biggest fight of the Briton’s career with what is likely to be a problematic gameplan but the best the pair can produce.

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