Robert Garcia believes one of Anthony Joshua 's reasons for choosing him as his new coach was his past experience with Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk has previously spent time training at Garcia's boxing gym in Oxnard. The Ukrainian outpointed Joshua to win his heavyweight belts when they fought last September, as their rematch will likely take place in August.
A former undisputed cruiserweight champion, Usyk has an intimidating appearance but has been labelled a "sweetheart" by Garcia. The trainer admitted it's easy to be intimated by Usyk's "serial killer" looks but the Ukrainian is a great person once you get to know him.
"When you meet Usyk, he's scary. He looks like a serial killer," Garcia told Little Giant Boxing. "But once you [speak] with him, f*** Usyk is a great person. He's a sweetheart. He's a kid, you're meeting a kid. He plays and jokes around, he's a great person."
Can Anthony Joshua win back his heavyweight titles? Let us know in the comments section below
Garcia never trained Usyk when he visited his gym in the past. The trainer thinks 'AJ' partnered with him because of his honesty as a coach, but admits his past relationship with Usyk might have also played a part in the decision.
"All the time I've spent over there and the questions I've asked, the honesty that I tell them. I think that could have to do with why they chose me. It could also be that they like the fact that Usyk used to train in my gym in Oxnard," Garcia continued.
"So they know I've seen them train and they know that I know them I never trained him, but he was there. he was training in my gym, so maybe that's another thing that probably helped, that I know Usyk."
Garcia said he is also on good terms with Usyk's manager. Garcia was recently with Klimas for the professional debut of Emiliano Vargas, who is the son of former world champion Fernando Vargas.
"Egis Klimas, I have a great relationship with him. I was just with him last weekend for [Emiliano] Vargas' fight. Nothing but respect for Kilmas' this is business. I consider them friends and it's hard to be against them, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to beat them," Garcia added.
Joshua has lost his heavyweight belts twice in his last four fights. Garcia admitted 'AJ' has developed a "mental problem" after his recent losses and believes that positive reinforcement will help the Brit overcome whatever mental struggles he has ahead of a rematch with Usyk.
