Eddie Hearn has admitted that Anthony Joshua is taking a 'huge risk' with potential training changes ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
The Brit was thoroughly outboxed in the initial bout in September, ceding his three heavyweight titles with a whimper of a performance against Usyk.
Criticism was directed towards Joshua 's preparations for that bout, as he dropped a significant amount of weight - conceding a big advantage he had over Usyk.
Since that defeat, AJ has been working with a number of different people in the United States and Dubai to try new things and, while it could yield results, Hearn admits it's a risky approach.
"It is a huge risk but if you feel like you need a change and you can't go on in a specific way any more, the alternative is much more risky," he said, as quoted by the Mirror.
"If AJ didn't make any changes and wasn't comfortable with his approach going into the rematch, I feel like we shouldn't be taking that rematch. But the fact he's been so proactive and positive and whatever route he goes down, I know he'll be comfortable with that decision.
"I'm a lot more at ease than with the flip side, which is to leave it. He needs something fresh, he's excited. The key thing for him in this fight is being mentally comfortable with his preparation."
It's yet to be confirmed whether Joshua has cut tie with long-term trainer Rob McCracken and Hearn added an announcement is imminent.
"These conversations have been with Rob and AJ," he said. "AJ made it clear when he said 'I will be working with a new trainer'.
"Will that be in conjunction with Rob? I think that's to be announced in the coming weeks."
The winner of Joshua vs Usyk 2 could face Tyson Fury in a heavyweight unificiation bout later in the year.
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