Anthony Joshua has opened up about a powerful message he received from Oleksandr Usyk’s camp while the two heavyweight titans were sparring together in preparation for Joshua’s upcoming comeback bout. The British champion, who is set to face Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia this Saturday, spent time training alongside the Ukrainian fighter, an experience that offered a rare glimpse into the preparation methods of a fellow elite heavyweight. During a candid interview with Sky Sports, the 36‑year‑old two‑time world heavyweight champion explained that Usyk’s team encouraged him to "show greatness" and to push his performance standards even higher. Joshua said the interaction was especially significant given the looming possibility of a British showdown with Tyson Fury later in the year, a fight that would capture the imagination of boxing fans worldwide.
"It’s an elite team," Joshua remarked. "I got to see how he prepared for Rico Verhoeven, the guy he beat in May. Watching their routines, their attention to detail, it was eye‑opening." He added that while the advice and support from Usyk’s camp were invaluable, the ultimate responsibility still rested on both fighters: "The team has given us everything we need; now it’s just down to us to do the work." Joshua described his own confidence in the ring, noting that he possesses a natural strength and durability that often allows him to rely on his instincts. "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 said.
However, the feedback from Usyk’s camp was a clear reminder that merely being good is not enough at the pinnacle of the sport. "These guys are like, ‘nah.’ They want to see more. They want to see more, like bring it out," Joshua explained.
The message was simple: elevate every aspect of his training and performance, and let that heightened level translate into the fight. He emphasized that his approach to preparation has evolved dramatically. "Let’s bring out the good stuff that you’ve got in you and let’s improve. My approach to training has definitely improved a lot," he said, highlighting a more disciplined, detail‑oriented regimen.
Joshua also cautioned that training and fighting are fundamentally different experiences. While the gym provides a controlled environment where incremental improvements can be made, the fight night arena offers no such luxuries. "Sometimes in a fight you don’t have that luxury to make improvements," he explained.
"You’re fighting because you’re in 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 any difference." He continued, "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." Throughout his career, Joshua has amassed an impressive record: 29 wins out of 33 professional fights, with 26 victories coming by way of knockout. This knockout power, combined with his size and athleticism, has made him a feared opponent in the heavyweight division. Yet he acknowledges that raw power alone will not guarantee success against a technically proficient and disciplined opponent like Usyk.
Looking ahead to the Prenga fight, Joshua reaffirmed his intent to bring his trademark aggression to the ring. "That’s the name of the game.
There’s no overtime," he asserted. "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 message from Usyk’s camp—"show greatness"—has clearly resonated with Joshua, prompting him to refine his training methodology, sharpen his mental focus, and commit to delivering a performance that reflects his status as a world‑class heavyweight. As the Saudi Arabian bout approaches, fans will be watching closely to see whether Joshua can translate the motivational push from his rival’s team into a decisive victory, and whether the phrase "show greatness" will become a defining tagline for his comeback narrative. Beyond the immediate fight, the exchange underscores a broader trend in modern boxing: top‑level athletes increasingly seek insight from each other’s camps, sharing knowledge, sparring, and motivational strategies to elevate the sport as a whole.
By embracing this collaborative spirit, Joshua and Usyk demonstrate that even fierce competitors can inspire one another to reach new heights, ultimately delivering more compelling contests for the global audience.