Lisa Whiteside has no doubts Anthony Joshua will bounce back from his stunning defeat in New York.
British boxing’s biggest star lost his world heavyweight titles to Andy Ruiz Jnr at Madison Square Garden in one of the biggest shocks the sport has even seen on Saturday.
Joshua was a heavy favourite, but was felled four times by the Mexican before the fight was waved off in the seventh round.
It saw the London 2012 gold medallist lose for the first time as a professional in a result that sent shockwaves through the heavyweight division as the 30-year-old lost his three belts.
The inquest began almost immediately as heavy underdog Ruiz had too much for a man who was lining up superfights with British rival Tyson Fury and WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
Whiteside, who was part of the same Great Britain amateur squad as Joshua, is confident however that he will be back at the very top of his sport sooner rather than later.
“Absolute credit to Big Josh,” she said in a post on Instagram.
“So humble in defeat but this is a small glitch in such an amazing journey.
“Silly comments from know it alls are just pathetic.
“Most genuine guy I have had the pleasure of training with and this is just another chapter in his legacy.
“Love the big man, has time for anyone, people’s person and such a genuine bloke!
“He will get them belts back and then unify the division!
“Big heart which will be broken at the moment but with the man he is will make him so much stronger.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here