Arjun Devgan

By YahooSports.com

International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has appointed Great Britain’s successful Olympic boxing team trainer Rob McCracken as his new coach ahead of the 10 December world heavyweight title bout against Mexican boxer Eric Molina.

It was under the guidance and direction of McCracken that Joshua won a gold medal for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics and since then they have been in regular contact with the involvement of the duo approved by the Great Britain boxing board.

Tony Sims who has trained Joshua throughout his career will continue to work with him, but as McCraken’s assistant, a role he is familiar with, having held the same position with Carl Froch.

“I have remained close to Rob and the GB Boxing squad since 2012. I have consistently turned to him for advice and guidance so I am really excited to have him in my corner, starting December 10. I would like to put on record my thanks to Tony Simms who will remain in my corner working with Rob as he did to such success with Carl Froch,” said Joshua as quoted by the Daily Mail.

McCraken who himself is a former middleweight boxer and world title challenger is looking forward to the prospect of training Joshua, but maintained that he will continue as the performance director of Great Britain’s Olympic Boxing squad.

“Anthony is a special talent and I am looking forward to working with him on the next stage of his career as he looks to defend his titles, and ultimately to unify the heavy-weight division. I know from working with Carl Froch that combining my work coaching a top professional boxer with the role of Performance Director has mutual benefits and that having a world champion in the gym has a very positive impact on the whole of the GB Boxing squad,” said McCraken.

The Anthony Joshua vs Eric Molina clash is scheduled to take place on 10 December at the Manchester Arena.