Anthony Joshua has posted a cryptic message hinting at a change of coach with his Oleksandr Usyk rematch looming.
The British star toured American gyms earlier this year as he plans to add a new coach to his team alongside long-term trainer Rob McCracken if they are able to work together.
He was heavily criticised in the aftermath of his defeat to Usyk in September due to his negative tactical approach.
Now Joshua has posted a picture on Instagram, with the cryptic caption : "You've got to know when it's time, you can't depend on anyone but yourself."
The caption suggests he believes it is time to move on from his Sheffield training base.
Joshua was comprehensively defeated by Usyk with the punch stats reflecting his counterpart's domination after he failed to assert his size advantage.
Many blamed the advice from his cornerman McCracken throughout the fight which seemed to settle him for the result despite needing a stoppage.
The British star later made the visit across to the pond where he made a three-man shortlist for a new coaching role that included Canelo Alvarez's trainer Eddy Reynoso and Joshua Buatsi's trainer Virgil Hunter.
He has even been offered help by the likes of domestic rival Tyson Fury and retired star Floyd Mayweather for his upcoming revenge bid against Usyk.
His promoter Eddie Hearn believes now is the right time to "move on" and unsettle the heavyweight star from his trainer's base in Sheffield.
“Rob won’t necessarily be gone,” said the Matchroom chief. “That’s a conversation for those guys and it’s very difficult because Rob is more than just a trainer, he’s a mentor to him, an advisor, a friend.
“It’s not just about who’s training him, it’s about where that’s going to take place. Rob’s in Sheffield and that’s his base. I feel it might be time to move on from that environment because when you’ve been there since you were 18 and you go up there and Anthony Joshua is everywhere, he’s a god.
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“I just feel it’s time to rough him up a little bit, not in log cabins in the middle of nowhere. But up there it’s ‘oh my God, it’s AJ!’ because they’re proud of him. He’s massive there.
“He’s talking to people and I think he will make a decision early in the new year.”
Despite being no current update on any potential new trainer, Joshua is now expected to face Usyk in a rematch after talks of a step-aside offer from Fury have now subsided.
Joshua initially opened the door to potentially moving aside to allow an undisputed clash but Fury has now been ordered to defend his WBC title against Dillian Whyte.
He will now seek revenge for the second time in his career after avenging a shock defeat by Andy Ruiz with a mega-money victory in Saudi Arabia last year.
