Anthony Joshua stands by Rob McCracken

Former heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua says he will not leave trainer Rob McCracken and claims critics have been ‘small-minded’ in recent months.

The British star lost his IBF, WBO and WBA ‘super’ titles in June when Andy Ruiz Jnr beat him at Madison Square Garden in New York. Ruiz Jnr became the first Mexican heavyweight champion of the world after he stopped Joshua in round seven of their bout.

Joshua will now get the chance to reclaim those belts in December after agreeing terms to fight in Saudi Arabia. In the wake of his defeat, critics claimed he should move to a new trainer, but Joshua says McCracken is the right man for him.

He told Sky Sports: “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.

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.”

Joshua remains the 1.33 favourite to beat Ruiz Jnr on December 7, while he is 1.75 to win via KO, TKO or disqualification. Ruiz Jnr remains confident he will retain his title and punters can back him to win inside the scheduled distance at odds of 3.80.