Anthony Joshua recently shared that the camp surrounding Oleksandr Usyk urged him to "show greatness" as the two heavyweight titans spent time training together in preparation for Joshua's comeback bout. The British fighter, a two‑time world heavyweight champion now 36 years old, has been fine‑tuning his skills alongside his former adversary while getting ready to face Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia this Saturday. During a candid interview with Sky Sports, Joshua explained that observing Usyk’s support staff gave him a fresh perspective on how elite athletes approach preparation. "It's an elite team.
I got to see how he prepared for Rico Verhoeven," Joshua said, referencing Usyk’s dominant performance against the Dutch kick‑boxing champion in May. He added that the experience pushed him to raise his own standards, especially with a high‑profile showdown against fellow Briton Tyson Fury looming later in the year. Joshua emphasized that the responsibility ultimately rests on both fighters: "But ultimately, it's all down to Usyk, and it's all down to me to do the work. The team has given us everything we need; now it's just down to us to do the work." He described himself as naturally strong and capable, noting that he can often rely on his raw power to get by.
"I'm quite good at what I do anyway. I'm quite strong.
I can take, I can give, so sometimes I can just get away with doing enough but still be good enough," he admitted. However, the Usyk camp was not satisfied with complacency. "These guys are like, 'nah'. They want to see more.
They want to see more, like bring it out," Joshua recounted. The message was clear: they expected him to tap into deeper reserves of skill and determination, to bring out the best version of himself in training and, ultimately, in the ring. Joshua also reflected on how his training approach has evolved.
"Let's bring out the good stuff that you've got in you and let's improve. And my approach to training has definitely improved a lot," he said, acknowledging that his preparation now incorporates more nuanced technical work alongside his trademark aggression.
He warned, though, that the transition from training to fight night is not always seamless. "Sometimes in a fight, you don't have that luxury to make improvements," Joshua explained. "You're fighting because you're in such a moment that puts so much pressure on your shoulders. So you're performing at your best, but it should be normal to perform at this level.
That's what Usyk's team were saying. Your greatness should just be something that you do every day in the gym. So doing it on fight night shouldn't make no difference. You shouldn't have to take yourself to that level where you're under so much pressure.
It's a do-or-die moment where you show greatness. You should be able to do it from round one." Joshua’s career statistics underscore his reputation as a knockout artist: out of 33 professional fights, he has won 29, with 26 victories coming by way of KO.
He insists that his raw aggression remains a core part of his identity and that he will unleash it if the opportunity arises against Prenga. "That's the name of the game. There's no overtime," he declared.
"If I can end it, trust me, I will. But I know what my mind is telling me. I know what I have to do.
And however long it takes me, I'll be content with it. I just have to make sure I'm victorious." The collaboration between Joshua and Usyk’s team offers a rare glimpse into how top‑level heavyweight boxers share knowledge and motivate each other.
While they are competitors on the biggest stages, their joint training sessions serve as a mutual learning experience. Joshua observed Usyk’s meticulous preparation for his bout with Verhoeven, noting the emphasis on conditioning, tactical drills, and mental resilience. He believes that adopting some of those methods will help him stay sharp for the upcoming fight and future challenges. Beyond the immediate fight, Joshua hinted that this period of cross‑training could influence his long‑term strategy.
He acknowledges that the heavyweight division is evolving, with fighters like Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and Usyk himself raising the bar. By integrating new techniques and a heightened work ethic, Joshua hopes to remain relevant and competitive as the sport moves forward. In summary, Joshua’s message to fans and opponents alike is straightforward: he is committed to delivering greatness every day, not just when the lights are on in the arena. The encouragement from Usyk’s camp serves as both a reminder and a challenge to push beyond his comfort zone, to refine his craft, and to demonstrate that his legendary power and skill are still very much alive.
As he steps into the ring with Prenga this Saturday, the world will watch to see whether he can translate the lessons learned in the gym into a decisive victory, and whether the mantra "show greatness" will become a defining chapter in his storied career.