AJ ride-or-die w/ coach McCracken

McCracken only got back with Joshua after Breazeale. I’ve never been a fan of his, especially where Joshua’s concerned.

Firstly, there’s the weight issue; he’s carrying too much muscle, which limits his movement, and will effect his stamina, not to mention his speed, which has noticeably slowed. He puts more into every punch now, but as a result he’s finding it harder to setup bigger shots. His jab can be improved as well.

 

First step is to go for a vacation for a few weeks or a month max and then get back into it

 

What do you mean by "only got back with Joshua"? He has been training him since day one. He just wasn't allowed to run his corner on fight nights because of Amateur rules, hence Sims running the corner.

 

First person was the wrong thing to say - was just the pretentious way he presents himself as some epic and unbeatable challenge. Last time we saw him he was on ***** street walking back to his corner.

 

I'm not sure what station you watched, Kirk, but on the Sky broadcast, Joshua's corner was shown in between most rounds and McCracken basically gave the same advice you mentioned above. Joshua just couldn't, or wouldn't, follow it, even though he appeared very receptive to his trainers instructions; he was asking for McCracken's opinion and was getting him to clarify his points.

 

Not good for his future. Mccracken's style don't fit Joshua. When Joshua was down he did nothing to improve Joshua's performance, Joshua was by himself. When Mccracken was with Froch was saying to everybody that he trains himself and Joshua was saying the same thing.

 

loyalty to coaches is not a necessity. It is too serious a sport to stick with loyalty over safety. He should find someone who can teach him strategy.

 

I was reading the corner exchange and it was obvious McCracken did not have much advice. He kept repeating the same thing over and over. He didn't have advice for when Ruiz was countering the things he told AJ to do. I kind of think that's why AJ looked so confused. The trainer's supposed to realize when the advice given can't be effectively executed and AJ was having trouble doing it. He'd never in his wildest fathomed an opponent who could nullify his simple gameplan. And his trainer was zero help at the most important moment. It's clear AJ has serious gaps in his boxing craft.

 

What McCracken and AJ share together can't be replicated with anybody else...Whoever was fueling AJ grew up on him in ways you will not understand

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Loyalty is the most important character in any male...you expect a worthy man to be loyal...otherwise he falls in the Beta ***** category

 

I think that's a mistake, a super common one. Let me explain, trainers are contractors. I think its a slippery slope when attaching loyalty to someone you are paying to look after your best intentions. I think AJ's trainer let him down because he's more of a yes man now than someone looking after his best interest.

 

I see the point of being loyal to friends and people we care about- but in boxing it is a business. I don't necessarily mean fire his trainer, but hire someone else to come in and work on what is necessary to stay on top. If loyalty makes someone not learn from his trainer and just stand still, then he loses again and he and the trainer can enjoy not being on top anymore-I don't see how that is beneficial. At this point Joshua needs to learn some things about double jabbing and holding and using his size on the inside. That right hand of Ruiz is fast and looping and tricky and when he hurts Joshua he swarms him. One thing is getting hit with it, but with those fast hands he just comes on after hurting him. Joshua needs an answer for this. He goes into a flight response when hurt. Better to hold on then reset jab and throw the right. Something to get his rhythm. If he could counter to the body to stop Ruiz momentum, but Joshua just needs to hold and get it together until he can throw his punches. That right hand of Ruiz is looping and hard to block. It is fast and from behind almost. Joshua needs to have an answer for that..

 

The trainer helped a Bodybuilder-Model become the most popular Heavyweight, where will AJ start with his new trainer (who doesn't understand his diet and best workouts...etc). AJ-McCracken relationship is based on multi-layered chemical bonding, you break it...You break Joshua as we know him, then you got a stiff bodybuilder who knows how to box (not enough)