Former heavyweight trainer Ben Davison, who has spent considerable time in the corners of both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, recently defended Joshua's choice to line up a preparatory fight ahead of his much‑anticipated clash with Fury. According to Davison, the British champion’s plan to step back into the ring on July 25 against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh is a sensible move, especially given the lingering effects of the car accident that left Joshua with undisclosed injuries. Davison explained to Sky Sports that the crash was a serious incident and that it is natural for an athlete to experience some physical setbacks after such an event. "Everyone knows about the accident and the crash, and it’s obvious that he would have emerged with some injuries," the trainer said.
"The priority now is to make sure his body is fully healed and ready before he takes on the biggest challenge of his career. That’s a logical approach, and Tyson has already had his own tune‑up fight to get back into shape." The idea of a warm‑up fight has sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some fearing that an extra bout could add an unwanted hurdle before the all‑British heavyweight showdown.
Davison, however, believes the benefits outweigh the risks. He noted that Joshua is not a boxer who typically shares details about his physical condition publicly. "He’s always been very private about any niggles or injuries," Davison said.
"Whether he’s won or lost, he never talks about it in the media. He just takes it on the chin, works through it quietly, and that resilience is something to admire." Having worked closely with both men, Davison is in a unique position to assess their preparation habits.
He declined to make a prediction about the eventual outcome of the Joshua‑Fury fight, emphasizing that the result will largely depend on each fighter’s strategy and mindset on the night. "When you reach that elite level, both athletes have the capacity to win.
It ultimately comes down to how they approach the contest, and I can’t say exactly how each will do that," he remarked. Despite their differing personalities, Davison sees a core similarity between the two champions. "At heart they’re both genuinely good‑natured guys," he observed. "But their approaches to the showmanship side of boxing are completely opposite.
Still, both have transformed the sport in the UK and have taken it to new heights. That says a lot about their impact." He also highlighted the immense pressure that accompanies their status.
"The demands, the expectations, the scrutiny – most people can’t even fathom the weight they carry," Davison added. "There’s massive pressure, high expectations, and countless people depending on them.
It’s a heavy burden, and you can only commend what they’ve achieved under those circumstances." Davison expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to work with both fighters, describing the experience as a privilege. "I feel extremely lucky, grateful, and blessed to have been part of their journeys," he said.
"Both have changed boxing in their own ways, and watching them navigate the sport’s pressures has been an education in itself." In summary, Davison’s endorsement of Joshua’s tune‑up fight rests on three main points: ensuring the champion’s body is fully recovered after his accident, providing a competitive platform to sharpen his skills before the Fury showdown, and following a proven preparation model that has worked for other top fighters, including Fury himself. While the fight against Prenga will be a test, it is intended to be a low‑risk opportunity for Joshua to confirm his fitness, fine‑tune his timing, and enter the ring with Fury at full strength. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 continues to feature a string of high‑profile matchups, and the Joshua‑Fury bout is expected to be one of the marquee events. Fans can look forward to a clash that not only pits two of Britain’s biggest names against each other but also showcases the culmination of months of careful preparation, strategic planning, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that both athletes embody.