Anthony Joshua touring US meeting trainers ahead of potential coaching change

AJ has been trained by Rob McCracken since his amateur days

Anthony Joshua has been travelling around the US meeting with a number of American-based trainers as the Brit considers replacing his coach following his recent loss to Oleksandr Usyk. The British heavyweight suffered his second career defeat at the hands of the Ukrainian cruiserweight last month, putting the highly-anticipated bout between himself and Tyson Fury in doubt. After losing his WBA (Super), WBO and IBF belts to Usyk, many people have suggested that 'AJ' should part ways with long-time coach Rob McCracken, who has trained the Brit since his amateur days. Joshua has added fuel to the fire after it was reported that he has met with boxing coaches Virgil Hunter, Eddy Reynoso and Ronnie Shields in the US. Shields - who is based in Texas - confirmed that Joshua had been welcomed into his gym earlier this week as he begins his hunt for a new trainer.

"I guess he didn't feel it was the right [gameplan against Usyk] so he wanted to make a change," said Shields.

The American, speaking to ThaBoxingVoice, added: "They reached out to me and they asked if I would be interested in taking a look at AJ and that he wanted to come down to Texas and see if things would work out between him and I.

"I said, 'No problem, I would love to see if we had a connection together'.

"He said, 'European boxing is different from boxing in the US'. He realised he had to come to the US to get something different.

"He told me, 'Listen, I know people don't think I'm a dog. I've got to be a dog in this next fight'. And that's his words. He told me, 'I just need you to show me how to be the best dog you can teach me to be'."

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Shields has an impressive resume in terms of fighters he has worked with - Mike Tyson being the most notable. 

Middleweight fighter Jermall Charlo - who works under Shields - recently posted a number of videos on his Instagram of Joshua speaking with Shields, as well as doing some light training.

Hunter is based in California and also boasts a splendid resume, training fighters such as multiple-weight world champion Andre Ward and Amir Khan.

Interestingly, Reynoso trains Joshua's former opponent Andy Ruiz Jr. The 44-year-old also works with Canelo Alvarez and WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez

If Joshua was to move to the US, it would see him leave his training base in Sheffield - the headquarters where he has spent his entire professional and amateur career.

Related links:

• Frank Warren wants Joshua to step aside and allow Fury vs Usyk
• Eddie Hearn claims Anthony Joshua is ‘obsessed’ with winning rematch against Usyk
• Tyson Fury ‘wounded’ by Anthony Joshua’s loss to Oleksandr Usyk