As his training finishes, some young female boxers come for their practise and he chats away to them, cracking jokes while doing his warm down. He likes to chat and laughs a lot.
That’s not to say he doesn’t work his socks off.
He does, listening to everything Rob has to say about his technique, asking questions – should he go one more round or one more minute, should he try something again.
The Joshua/McCracken partnership is a solid one.
The former middleweight boxer was the British Olympic boxing coach at 2012 and AJ listens carefully to his constant stream of instructions, most of which start with “relax”. There is respect on each side, that is obvious.
McCracken was the one who dared to criticise Joshua’s incredible victory over Wladimir Klitschko by pointing out, the next time he set foot in the gym, exactly how he could have done it better.
Despite the material riches that came with that victory (Joshua has now bought a house in addition to his mum’s council flat) he keeps things simple.
He stays in the basic training camp accommodation just like the rest of the boxers – his only nod to luxury is a chef who cooks all his meals – designed to maximise his recovery after training.
He won’t get carried away by his growing status in world sport, he won’t change things because he can afford better.
If it’s worked so far – and 19 knockout wins says it has – Joshua doesn’t feel the need to change, except in the ring.
Evolving, learning and getting better at his craft – that sort of change he can handle.
Article Appeared @http://news.sky.com/story/anthony-joshua-still-humble-despite-world-success-11073464