Anthony Joshua: The Path to Becoming a More Technical Boxer

Anthony Joshua, despite being a formidable force in the heavyweight division, has shown room for improvement in his technical boxing skills. While he is not as technically deficient as someone like Deontay Wilder, there is still much work to be done to elevate his game and maximize his potential.

One of the most pressing areas for Joshua is his jab. It is not just about having a jab; it is about having a sharp and effective one. Joshua needs to go back to his fundamentals and work on his jab with the precision and intent of a master/p>

Keys to Improvement for Anthony Joshua

New Trainer and Quality Opponents

For Joshua to truly progress, he needs to undergo a radical change. A new trainer is essential, one that can push him to improve his skills against high-quality opponents rather than a series of 'tomato cans'. The idea of fighting purely for record and attendances, rather than title defense, is disappointing. Heavyweight champions should defend their titles frequently, not once a year or every 15 months. However, formidable opponents and the competitive nature of real fights are what make a heavyweight champion truly great.

Phenomenon of Once-a-Year Champions

Champions like Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali defended their titles multiple times a year. This frequency demonstrated their prowess and staying power in the division. Today's heavyweight titans, who fight intermittently like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, are seen as more show business than hard, relentless competition. The respect Joshua earns is diminished when he fights obscure fighters instead of quality opponents. Real boxing champions should be tested at every opportunity and should not settle for minimum requirements.

Shaping an ‘Apollo Creed’ Approach

A new trainer for Joshua, akin to Apollo Creed from the Rocky series, would bring fresh insights and a new treatment. This trainer would focus on making Joshua fight quality opponents and push him beyond his current capabilities. The goal should be to make Joshua a boxer who can use all the muscles he never used before. Specifically, this would involve:

Improving upon defensive techniques and tightening his guard. Enhancing upper body movement and shape.

Ring IQ and Technical Skills

Joshua's lack of ring IQ is another significant drawback. He needs to develop a deeper understanding of boxing tactics and strategies. This is a critical component that can evolve with experience and proactive training, but it is a tall order for a fighter in his current stage of development.

Mental Fortitude and Killer Instinct

Joshua’s biggest weakness lies in his mental toughness and killer instinct. Despite his physical prowess, he lacks the mental fortitude and killer instinct of great boxers like a young Mike Tyson or Muhammad Ali. His mental softness makes him vulnerable in crucial moments of the fight, impacting his overall performance and resilience.

In summary, Anthony Joshua has the physical attributes to be one of the best boxers in the world, but his technical skills and mental toughness need significant improvement. A new trainer, a focus on quality opponents, and a shift in his boxing mindset can elevate Joshua to the next level and maximize his potential as a technical boxer.