Thursday 8 December 2016 10:31, UK
Trainer Rob McCracken says that his heavyweight charge Anthony Joshua has similar traits to former super-middleweight unified champ Carl Froch.
Joshua will make the second defence of his IBF world title against Eric Molina this Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and the Watford star will have newly-appointed full-time coach McCracken in his corner.
McCracken, who is Performance Director for Team GB, guided Joshua to London 2012 Olympic gold and has worked closely with the unbeaten 27-year-old since the amateurs.
The esteemed trainer also steered Froch to world title glory and McCracken sees several similarities between the two fighters.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Joshua is very similar to Froch in his work effort and his desire and dedication for the sport.
"They both want to get to the top and get the rewards for it. Neither of them have any problem with who they fight, they will fight anyone and it is a very refreshing attitude to have.
"I've spent a lot of time with Joshua and have known him for a long time. I worked with him when he was an elite amateur and we travelled the world together to tournaments - I know him as well as anyone.
"He's always asked me for advice on his journey up, but now it's a good time to assist him further and help him in his corner as the fights start to get tougher."
McCracken's first job will be to help produce a victory over Molina on Saturday and the trainer believes it is Joshua's toughest test to date.
"We are not looking past Molina and he is another step up as the opponents get tougher. 'AJ' is new to this level and he knows that he still has a lot to learn.
"Molina stunned WBC champ Deontay Wilder when they fought and although he took a lot of punishment, he was very dangerous through nine rounds.
"He had a good win over [Tomasz] Adamek last time out as well so he knows what he is doing. He works on the angles to bring you on to hooks and will be difficult to hit. This is a slight step up in levels for AJ, but he will be ready."
Watch Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena, on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
