Anthony Joshua speaks on people asking him to sack his trainer ahead of Andy Ruiz rematch

Anthony Joshua has blasted those calling for him to sack trainer Rob McCracken as “shallow and small-minded”.  

The British heavyweight star plans to regain the IBF, WBA and WBO belts he shockingly lost to Andy Ruiz Jr later this year with the rematch set for December 7 in Saudi Arabia.

Critics questioned whether AJ should continue working with his coach McCracken after his seventh-round TKO defeat to the Mexican in June at Madison Square Gardens. 

But when asked on Sky Sports’ Joshua said: "Whoever said that is a clown. Part ways with McCracken? No way. These people don't understand loyalty'.

“These people aren't cut from the same cloth, if that's what they are suggesting. Whoever has that mindset should not bother talking to me, if they have that mindset.  

“How could they say that? I've worked with two people in boxing - Sean Murphy, my trainer [at Finchley amateur gym]. Then a year-and-a-half later I was up to Sheffield training with Rob McCracken.”

“They have built me, aside from boxing, as the man I am today. A father, a family man, a businessman who understands the responsibility of being a young African-British kid. They built that in me.  

“You can't take that away. You can take the belts away - they will be gone when I retire. The man that they built? You can't take that away. The man that will help to inspire my kids and other kids? You can't take that away.

“I should never get rid of those types of people. Because I lost the belts I should get rid of the people that built me? No way. It's shallow-minded, small-minded.  “Mike Tyson could have lost to anyone but you can't get rid of [his trainer] Cus D'Amato. People do not truly understand what these people mean to your life.”

He added: “I want to make positive reinforcements and bring in new troops on the battlefield to combat this war.”