Anthony Joshua is eager to establish a long-term working relationship with his latest trainer.

The former heavyweight champion from Britain linked up with well-regarded coach Derrick James of Dallas, Texas, ahead of his fight against Michigan’s Jermaine Franklin in April at The O2 Arena in London. Joshua won a fairly wide decision in a performance that many regarded as solid if fairly unspectacular.

Joshua—and his promoter Eddie Hearn—seemed to suggest that his priority was to fight three times this year, including a fight in the summer. However, not long after the Franklin win, Joshua stated that he did not intend to fight until December.

It turned out that Joshua was exploring talks to partake in a significant fight in the Middle East at the end of the year, against a top name, possibly former champion Deontay Wilder.

In a recent interview, Joshua said that there was still a chance that he could return in the summer. However, that decision, he made clear, would be heavily contingent on James’ input.

“I thought as I've changed maybe three coaches in three years, it would be good to develop and work under the guidance of my new coach and by the time I'm back in the ring, I've cemented and implemented everything he wants” Joshua told Sky Sports. “But the only way we're going to put everything he's teaching me to the test is through fighting but rather than putting pressure on myself. I don’t want to lie to the fans at the time that I’m fighting this date and what not when they’re still conversations in the background happening. I just wanted to draw a line in the sand and say, ‘I'm not fighting until this date.’

“If I, my coach decide to change my mind—I feel I'm able to change my mind right? So I'm able to fight in July or August if I want. So right now it’s (the summer fight date) off the table, but we are subject to change providing my coach is happy with what he sees.”

James marked the third trainer Joshua has had in three years. Joshua was trained for the majority of his career by Rob McCracken but he parted ways with him ahead of his rematch with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk last August. Joshua elevated longtime assistant coach Angel Fernandez and hired veteran Robert Garcia for that fight, although he came up short on points for the second consecutive time.