Anthony Joshua has named Rob McCracken as his full-time coach
Thursday 1 December 2016 19:10, UK
Anthony Joshua has confirmed that Rob McCracken has become his full-time coach.
The IBF heavyweight champion makes the second defence of his title against Eric Molina at Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and McCracken will be present in his corner.
McCracken, who is Performance Director for Team GB, guided Joshua to his London 2012 Olympic gold medal and will now take full charge of the unbeaten 27-year-old's professional career.
Joshua has welcomed confirmation of McCracken's role and will also maintain his working relationship with trainer Tony Sims, who has been a regular face in his corner on fight nights.
I have consistently turned to him for advice and guidance so I am really excited to have him in my corner, starting on December 10th.
"I have remained close to Rob and the GB Boxing squad since 2012," said Joshua. "I have consistently turned to him for advice and guidance so I am really excited to have him in my corner, starting on December 10.
"I would like to put on record my thanks to Tony Sims, who will remain in my corner working with Rob as he did to such success with Carl Froch."
McCracken previously guided the career of former super-middleweight world champion Carl Froch and will combine training Joshua with his role on Great Britain's Olympic boxing programme.
"Anthony is a special talent and I am looking forward to working with him on the next stage of his career as he looks to defend his titles and, ultimately, to unify the heavyweight division," said McCracken.
"I know from working with Carl Froch that combining my work coaching a top professional boxer with the role of Performance Director has mutual benefits and that having a world champion in the gym has a very positive impact on the whole of the GB Boxing squad.
"It gives the boxers an insight into what it takes to be the best in the world and provides top-class training opportunities that will help to develop and improve the heavyweight and super-heavyweight boxers in the squad."
GB Boxing have also backed McCracken's decision to coach Joshua and will allow the IBF world champion to train at the GB Boxing gym in Sheffield.
A spokesperson for GB Boxing said: "We have maintained very good relations with Anthony and many of our former boxers, who occasionally come into the GB Boxing gym to work out with the squad."
Watch Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena, on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event online here.
