Anthony Joshua was very late to his fight with Daniel Dubois, but trainer Ben Davison refuses to blame it for the loss.
Joshua suffered a devastating KO defeat to British rival Dubois at Wembley Stadium last September.
AJ was favourite to win the fight, and the boxing fraternity have come up with many theories to try and explain his defeat.
One of those is that Joshua already looked uncomfortable during his incredible ring walk just moments before the fight unfolded.
But Davison, in an exclusive appearance on talkBOXING, explained that preparations were far from ideal.
He revealed that pre-fight preparations were a rush as a result of logistical struggles, but insisted there were no excuses over the defeat.
The renowned coach said: “This isn’t an excuse, he’s never mentioned it and it’s not the reason we lost.
“He was very very late arriving to the dressing room before the fight for unforeseen circumstances.
“It was a major rush which wasn’t ideal. Maybe that had an impact on his ring walk, I can’t say yes or no.
“Again it’s not an excuse, but if what you guys were seeing is true, maybe the fact he was late then that didn’t help.
“The fights before we had an extremely long warm-up, this time it was the complete opposite.
“But this time it was a big rush, although it wasn’t why he lost.”
Joshua ultimately succumbed to a KO defeat, with Dubois letting his heavy hands go.
The former two-time champion looked to be coming back into the contest in a strong fifth round after a difficult start.
But after trading shots with Dubois, he was left slumped to the canvas and it ended his hopes of becoming a three-time world champion.
He has yet to step back in the ring since, having had elbow surgery which has set back his return date.
It is hoped that he will return in the final quarter of 2025, with some big fights still available.
Joshua wanted to face bitter rival Tyson Fury, but for now the ‘Gypsy King’ is retired.
Eyes from his camp could also be on the undisputed title rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Dubois on July 19.
And Davison believes a discussion will need to be held over his next move, but he is open to going straight for glory again.
He continued: “I’m not a massive fan of the ‘everybody needs activity’.
“It’s not ideal after the injury, it’s hard to say the likes of Deontay Wilder is a tune-up fight.
“There are discussions that would need to happen, but his goal is to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.”
