Anthony Joshua disclosed that the camp of his heavyweight rival Oleksandr Usyk urged him to "show greatness" while the two champions shared a training session ahead of Joshua's comeback bout in Saudi Arabia. The British two‑time world heavyweight champion, now 36, spent time training alongside Usyk as he prepared for a fight against Kristian Prenga scheduled for Saturday in Riyadh. During an interview with Sky Sports, Joshua described the experience of observing the Ukrainian's elite preparation methods and how they pushed him to raise his own standards. "It's an elite team.
I got to see how he prepared for Rico Verhoeven," Joshua said, referencing Usyk's recent victory over the Dutch kick‑boxing star in May. He added that the insights he gained were valuable, but ultimately the responsibility for success rested on both fighters individually. "The team has given us everything we need; now it's just down to us to do the work," he explained.
Joshua highlighted his own confidence in his abilities, noting that he is naturally strong and capable of both delivering and absorbing punishment. However, he said Usyk's entourage demanded more than just adequacy.
"These guys are like, 'nah. They want to see more. They want to see more, like bring it out,'" he recounted.
The message was clear: the Ukrainian camp wanted Joshua to tap into a deeper reservoir of skill and determination, to "bring out the good stuff" that lies within him. The British fighter admitted that while training can be refined and improved day by day, a fight night offers no such luxury. "Sometimes in a fight, you don't have that luxury to make improvements," he said.
"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." In other words, Joshua believes greatness should be a habit, not a one‑off display under pressure. He argued that a true champion should be able to exhibit that level of performance from the opening bell, without needing a do‑or‑die moment to unlock it. This philosophy aligns with the broader narrative of his career, which includes 29 wins out of 33 professional fights, 26 of them by knockout, and a reputation for raw aggression and power.
Looking ahead, Joshua hinted that his upcoming clash with Prenga could serve as a proving ground for the mindset instilled by Usyk's team. "That's the name of the game. There's no overtime," he said. "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." Beyond the immediate fight, the conversation touched on the broader heavyweight landscape. Joshua mentioned that his performance against Prenga could set the tone for a potential showdown with British rival Tyson Fury later in the year. The implication is that the standards set by Usyk's camp may have ripple effects throughout the division, raising the bar for all contenders.
The collaboration between Joshua and Usyk's teams also underscores a growing trend in modern boxing: elite fighters sharing training environments to exchange knowledge, tactics, and conditioning strategies. By observing how Usyk prepared for a high‑profile bout against a kick‑boxing champion, Joshua gained insights into cross‑disciplinary preparation, footwork, and defensive nuances that could benefit his own style. While the interview was peppered with promotional reminders—such as a suggestion to use Chrome for a better video player and prompts to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp—the core message remained clear.
Joshua is embracing a mindset that greatness is a daily habit, cultivated in the gym, and that his upcoming fight is an opportunity to demonstrate that consistency. In summary, Anthony Joshua's recent comments reveal a deep respect for Oleksandr Usyk's support staff and their insistence on continual improvement.
The British champion acknowledges that his own talent and experience are essential, but he also recognizes that the pursuit of excellence is a collaborative effort. As he steps into the ring against Kristian Prenga, he aims to embody the mantra "show greatness"—not as a fleeting moment of brilliance, but as an everyday standard forged through disciplined training and a relentless desire to exceed expectations.