Frank Warren telling it like it is (on Joshua)

[url]https://www.express.co.uk/sport/boxing/1135682/Boxing-news-Anthony-Joshua-Andy-Ruiz-Jr-Frank-Warren[/url]


“It has to be said that the warning signs of what transpired at Madison Square Garden have been evident for some time now,” Warren told his official website.

“I’ve felt, probably since the Dillian Whyte fight, that he hasn’t improved his defences as a professional. He has remained with his amateur trainer and, along with many others I suspect, I was surprised by the dialogue between them in between rounds.

“I’m sure there will be an inquest by Joshua and he will have some big questions to answer. One for me would be his trainer.

“He has continued to train at the Team GB facility up in Sheffield and from what you hear most of the time he has been working with the amateurs up there, who have provided the bulk of his sparring.

“The fact Joshua uses a publicly funded facility and trainer as a highly rewarded professional I don’t think is right anyway, but that is another matter.”

“He is very good offensively, moving forward and letting his shots go, but against Ruiz he was on the back foot.

“It was a great shot that put Ruiz down, but when he got up he exploited all the glaring chinks in Joshua’s armour.

“He got caught with a left hook and after taking one on the top of head he looked uncomfortable and like he didn’t want to be in there.”

Warren, who has promoted Joshua’s rival Fury since the Gypsy King’s return last year, was surprised in the manner in which Ruiz Jr punished Joshua.

“Suffering defeat in such a manner to Ruiz did come as a surprise, but the vulnerability of Joshua has been there for all to see over a number of fights now. He has been clipped by a good few opponents and nothing seems to have been done to minimise the risk,” he added.