Oleksandr Usyk has publicly pledged his support to Anthony Joshua as the British heavyweight prepares for a potential showdown with Tyson Fury. Joshua, a former world champion who has already suffered two defeats at the hands of the Ukrainian, has recently become a part of Usyk's training camp, spending time alongside the unbeaten, unified heavyweight champion. Usyk has warmly welcomed Joshua into his inner circle, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that now exists between the two fighters. "We help each other," Usyk told Sky Sports.
"We train together, we joke together, it’s a great atmosphere. We used to be opponents, now we’re friends." Usyk, a two‑division, three‑time undisputed world champion, has already bested Fury twice in the ring, making him uniquely qualified to advise Joshua on how to tackle the former two‑time heavyweight champion. "I think AJ will do it, beat my friend ‘Greedy Belly,’" Usyk quipped, referring to Fury with a familiar nickname.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed to Sky Sports that negotiations are moving forward for a high‑profile all‑British heavyweight clash later this year, a bout that fans have been eagerly awaiting. Hearn suggested that Usyk might even sit in Joshua’s corner on fight night, adding another layer of intrigue to the potential matchup.
"It’s a big shout," Hearn said. "I wouldn’t be surprised if Usyk ends up in AJ’s corner.
He’s definitely going to be a help – how could he not be? It won’t be an easy fight, but we’re all confident that Joshua can rise to the occasion." According to Hearn, Joshua’s training sessions with Usyk have already produced noticeable improvements. He described the environment as "incredible," noting that being around the sport’s pound‑for‑pound number one has a motivational effect on the former champion. Joshua initially joined the camp in August or September for a two‑week stint, but he has remained ever since, even calling Hearn after just three days to express doubts about staying.
"He phoned me after three days, facetimed me from his bed, basically said, ‘I’m not sure about this, I think I’m going to come home,’" Hearn recalled. Hearn recounted a vivid scene from one of Joshua’s sprint sessions: "He’s out there, heart rate at 90%, giving his all, when the No. 1 pound‑for‑pound Usyk walks over to the treadmill and says, ‘Keep going, you can do this, you’re going to be a champion again.’ That kind of encouragement is inspirational and impossible to replicate without that elite environment. It fuels the fire and passion Anthony brings to his career and to this upcoming fight." The partnership, Hearn believes, will elevate Joshua to a new level.
"Couple that with Oleksandr Usyk and his team having beaten Tyson Fury twice, and you have a perfect mix of experience and energy," he said. "Joshua now fights for more than just titles; he’s fighting for personal reasons that matter deeply to him.
We’re proud of him and confident he’ll beat Fury." While Joshua is focused on his potential clash with Fury, Usyk is also gearing up for a major bout of his own. On May 23, he will defend his WBC heavyweight title in an historic setting beneath the pyramids of Giza against Rico Verhoeven, the dominant heavyweight kick‑boxing champion making his boxing debut at the highest level. Usyk remains confident, stating, "For me it’s a regular fight. I am a master boxer." Usyk’s future remains a topic of speculation.
He has been linked to a possible unification bout with the winner of the Fabio Wardley versus Daniel Dubois fight, which could set up a showdown to reunify the four major heavyweight belts. Additionally, a trilogy fight with Fury has been floated, keeping fans excited about the possibilities. However, Usyk has chosen to keep his focus strictly on the upcoming Giza fight.
"Now I have focus only on Rico, then we’ll talk about future plans," he said. "But for now it’s May 23 in Egypt. Discipline and focus – that’s all that matters for this fight." The collaboration between Usyk and Joshua highlights a growing trend in heavyweight boxing where top fighters share knowledge and resources to sharpen their skills.
By training together, they aim to push each other beyond previous limits, creating a dynamic that could reshape the division’s hierarchy. Whether this partnership will culminate in a victorious performance against Fury remains to be seen, but the mutual respect and shared ambition between the two champions are evident. As the summer approaches, the boxing world watches closely, anticipating a potential showdown that could define the next era of heavyweight greatness.