According to Ben Davison, who has trained both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, Joshua is making a sensible decision by taking a warm-up fight before facing Fury later this year. Joshua is set to return to the ring on July 25 against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh.
While some have expressed concerns that a warm-up fight could pose an additional challenge for Joshua ahead of the highly anticipated all-British heavyweight bout, Davison believes it's the right call. "Considering the accident and the crash, it's natural that he would have sustained injuries," Davison explained to Sky Sports. "Ensuring his body is ready for the fight against Fury makes sense, especially since Tyson has already had his tune-up fight." Davison noted that Joshua typically keeps his injuries private, saying, "He's always been like that, choosing not to publicly disclose situations that have occurred during fights, whether he's won or lost." The trainer, who has worked closely with both fighters, is in a unique position to comment on their upcoming bout. Although he doesn't have a prediction for who will win, he acknowledges that both men are capable of emerging victorious.
"When you reach a certain level, both fighters have the potential to win; it ultimately comes down to their approach to the fight," he said. Davison sees similarities between the two fighters, stating, "At their core, they're both good guys, but they've approached the showmanship aspect of boxing in completely different ways." He also recognizes the immense pressure and expectations they face, saying, "Most people can't even begin to comprehend the pressure they're under. It's incredibly tough, and you can only commend what they've both achieved in the sport."