Anthony Joshua Partners with Oleksandr Usyk’s Team for Jake Paul Fight

Anthony Joshua has announced a significant change in his training regimen as he prepares for his upcoming fight against Jake Paul on December 19, 2024, in Miami. The former two-time heavyweight champion revealed that he has parted ways with his previous coaching setup and is now training with members of Oleksandr Usyk’s team, the same team that helped Usyk secure two victories over Joshua in the past.

This fight will represent Joshua’s return to the ring after a fifteen-month hiatus, following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. During a press conference on Friday, Joshua addressed questions regarding the changes to his coaching team. When asked if coaches Ben Davison and Lee Wylie would continue to train him, he stated, “No, I won’t be trained by Ben Davison. I said that London is a bit distracting for me, so I was invited to train with Team Usyk.”

Training Insights and Preparation

Joshua elaborated on his decision to work with Usyk’s team, expressing that the collaboration has already had a positive impact on his training. “I’ve been in Spain, we’ve been doing some good training, and I think he’s one of the best in the world… Not I think, he is one of the best in the world,” he remarked. He credited Usyk’s team for their professionalism and expertise, stating, “It’s been a great experience and very challenging.”

The heavyweight boxer confirmed that he has been training with Team Usyk for “a couple of months now,” but clarified that he does not spar with Usyk himself. “No, I don’t spar with Usyk, he’s training somewhere else at the minute. He’s been in camp, but he’s in and out of camp so right now, he’s training somewhere else,” Joshua explained.

Future Prospects

As Joshua gears up for the fight against Paul, he is focused on maximizing the benefits of his new training environment. The bout is highly anticipated, not only for Joshua’s return but also for the crossover nature of fighting Paul, a popular figure in both boxing and social media. With the shift in his training strategy, Joshua aims to reclaim his footing in the heavyweight division after a challenging period.

In the lead-up to the fight, Joshua’s collaboration with Usyk’s team promises to bring fresh perspectives and techniques to his training. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these changes manifest in the ring on fight night.