Anthony Joshua has opened up about a powerful piece of advice he received from the camp of his fellow heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk. While both fighters were sparring together as part of Joshua’s preparation for his upcoming comeback bout against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia, Usyk’s team reportedly urged Joshua to "show greatness" and raise his performance bar even higher.
The 36‑year‑old former two‑time world heavyweight champion explained to Sky Sports that training alongside the Ukrainian champion gave him a rare glimpse into the meticulous preparation that went into Usyk’s recent victory over Rico Verhoeven in May. "It’s an elite team," Joshua said, emphasizing the professionalism and attention to detail he observed. "I got to see how he prepared for Rico Verhoeven – the way they structure the sessions, the focus on recovery, the mental drills – it’s a whole different level." Joshua added that the message from Usyk’s camp was crystal clear: they wanted him to push beyond his usual standards. "They’re not just saying ‘do your job’, they’re saying ‘bring out more, bring out the best you have inside you.’" He noted that while he already feels confident in his abilities – "I’m quite good at what I do, I’m strong, I can take a punch and give one back" – the Usyk team wanted him to abandon any complacency and strive for an even higher output.
The British fighter reflected on how this encouragement fits into his broader training philosophy. "My approach to training has definitely improved a lot," he said, acknowledging that the guidance from Usyk’s camp has helped him refine his daily routine.
He stressed that greatness, according to the Ukrainian’s team, should be a habit cultivated in the gym, not something that only surfaces under the bright lights of a fight night. "Your greatness should be something you do every day in the gym, so when the moment arrives, it feels natural," Joshua explained.
He also warned that the pressure of a live bout can limit the ability to make on‑the‑fly adjustments. "Sometimes in a fight you don’t have that luxury to make improvements," he said. "You’re in a moment that puts a lot of pressure on your shoulders, so you have to be ready to perform at your best from round one." Throughout his career, Joshua has compiled an impressive record: 29 wins out of 33 professional fights, with 26 victories coming by way of knockout.
Despite the setbacks he’s faced in recent years, he insists that the raw aggression and power that defined his early reign remain intact. "That’s the name of the game – there’s no overtime," he declared. "If I can end it, trust me, I will.
I know what my mind is telling me, I know what I have to do, and however long it takes, I’ll be content as long as I’m victorious." The upcoming fight against Prenga, scheduled for this Saturday in Saudi Arabia, will be Joshua’s first test after a lengthy layoff. He sees it as a crucial stepping stone toward a potential showdown with British rival Tyson Fury later in the year, a clash that many fans are already anticipating.
"Usyk’s team told us to raise our standards, and that’s exactly what I intend to do," Joshua said. "I want to show that I’m still a force to be reckoned with, that I can still deliver the excitement and power that people expect from a heavyweight champion." In addition to the physical preparation, Joshua highlighted the mental aspect of the message. He explained that the phrase "show greatness" is not merely a motivational slogan but a call to embody consistency, discipline, and confidence both in training and in competition. "It’s about bringing out the good stuff you have inside you and improving every single day," he said.
"When you step into the ring, it shouldn’t be a sudden surge of effort – it should be the continuation of what you’ve built day after day." The collaboration between Joshua and Usyk’s camps also underscores a growing trend in heavyweight boxing where top fighters share knowledge and resources to elevate the sport as a whole. By sparring together and exchanging ideas, they not only sharpen their own skills but also set a higher benchmark for upcoming contenders. As the countdown to the Prenga fight continues, Joshua remains focused on translating the advice from Usyk’s team into tangible performance. He acknowledges that the road ahead will be challenging, but he is determined to meet the expectations set by both his own legacy and the external encouragement he has received.
"I’m ready to bring out the best version of myself," he concluded. "Greatness isn’t a one‑off event – it’s a daily commitment, and I intend to honor that every time I step into the gym and every time I step into the ring."