Anthony Joshua has been urged to change his training team for his comeback fight in 2025.
Joshua had been on a good run under new trainer Ben Davison after linking up in 2023 – beating Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou in convincing displays.
He was the favourite to beat Daniel Dubois and become a world champion again last September, but was brutally dropped three times en route to a KO defeat.
The Watford slugger was advised by Davison to ‘roll the dice’ and be aggressive against Dubois in the fifth round, an approach which ultimately saw him stopped.
Davison took full responsibility for the advice and stood by it, lashing back at critics who examined the display.
Paul Smith, a former world title challenger, spoke boldly on the latest episode of talkBOXING insisting Joshua should change his trainer once again.
He said: “From our perspective, we aren’t [inside camp] and we don’t see how it is, but what I did see and hear on fight night when he lost to Dubois, is that it was bad advice from the corner.
“Ben Davison is a good trainer, and he has come out and admitted about the advice.
“But telling him to go for it when Dubois is still alive in the fight, when in three rounds he may be a different opponent.
“You just need to bull**** your way through the fight for the next two or three rounds, let Dubois puff himself out.
“Then you have a better chance, so I think he needs to change the team around.
“I think he needs to get another good trainer in.”
Joshua and Davison was a match made in heaven as he came into the Dubois fight, but his fortunes ran out against Dubois.
AJ has worked with four trainers in his career, splitting with long-term trainer Rob McCracken in 2021.
He first switched to Robert Garcia for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, but after failing to get revenge, he called for help with Derrick James.
Davison then took over from James, but it is unclear who will be in the corner for any fight Joshua will have this year.
AJ has been linked with a number of potential opponents in the current heavyweight conundrum.
He wants to face British rival Tyson Fury, but for now the ‘Gypsy King’ is retired from the sport.
This week, the former two-time world champion has been called out for a staggering fight with Jake Paul, but that is not expected to be discussed until 2026.
But his promoter Eddie Hearn still expects him to be out of action for several weeks before deciding his next concrete option.
He told talkSPORT.com: “Joshua can fight anyone he wants at any time.
“He’s the biggest name in the division that is active because Fury’s retired.
“But unfortunately, he’s not ready to start punching again. He’s going to need another six, seven weeks.
“So, we’re not like rushing around, phoning around, asking people. When he’s ready, we’ll make the decision. Who knows who will come out of the woodwork?”
