Oleksandr Usyk has vowed to help Anthony Joshua beat Tyson Fury.
Joshua, a former world titlist who has lost twice to the Ukrainian fighter himself, has joined Usyk’s training team and is in camp with the undefeated unified heavyweight champion.
Usyk welcomed Joshua to his team. “We help each other. We help, we work, we joke and it’s a great time. We used to be rivals, adversaries, but now we’re friends,” he told Sky Sports.
Usyk, a three-time undisputed world champion in two weight classes, has defeated Fury twice himself. He is the ideal person to advise Joshua on how to face Fury, a former heavyweight champion.
“I think AJ will do it, to beat my friend ‘Greedy Berry,'” Usyk said.
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Eddie Hearn gives an update on Anthony Joshua’s fight plans as talks with Tyson Fury progress.
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed to Sky Sports that talks are advanced for Joshua to fight Fury in this year’s highly anticipated all-British heavyweight mega-fight.
Usyk could be in Joshua’s corner against Fury.
“This is a big cheer. I’m not surprised,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports.
“He’s definitely going to help. How could he be anything but a help? It’s definitely not going to be an easy fight, but it’s a fight that we’re all confident in.”
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Watch old enemies become friends and share a laugh as Oleksandr Usyk helps Anthony Joshua train. (Video provided by Oleksandr Usyk – Instagram @usykaa featuring @anthonyjoshua)
He revealed that training with Usyk is already making a huge difference to Joshua.
“First of all, the setup is great. It’s unbelievable to be around the best fighter in the sport and he loves it. He went there of his own accord in August or September and said he was going for two weeks, but he’s never left,” Hearn said.
“Three days later, he called me and FaceTimed me from his bed and said, ‘I don’t really know about this, but I think I’m coming home.’
“As I saw it, when you’re there and you’re sprinting and you’re flat out and your heart rate is at 90 percent, pound-for-pound No. 1 Usyk comes up to the treadmill and says, ‘Go for it, you can do it, you can be a champion again.’
“It’s an inspirational thing that you wouldn’t think of achieving without that kind of environment, and that’s the kind of passion and passion that Anthony Joshua brings to his career and this fight.”
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Tyson Fury grabbed a microphone and loudly challenged him to fight Anthony Joshua next, but his rival didn’t give him a clear answer.
Hearn added: “It’s going to take it to a whole new level. Coupled with the fact that Oleksandr Usyk and his team have beaten Tyson Fury twice, it’s a great combination, a great dynamic and AJ is very happy.”
“It’s a different kind of energy and a different kind of purpose for Joshua now. He’s not only fighting for the belt, but he’s fighting for a lot of personal things that are going on in his life.
“We’re so proud of him. We’re going to do this and he’s going to beat Tyson Fury.”
Usyk is preparing for a fight of his own. On May 23, in the shadow of the Pyramids of Giza, Usyk will compete for the WBC title against Rico Verhoeven, a leading heavyweight kickboxing champion who will be competing in top-level boxing for the first time.
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Watch as Rico Verhoeven and Oleksandr Usyk engage in their final showdown ahead of their blockbuster heavyweight showdown.
However, Verhoeven will have to be wary of Usyk’s masterclass. “For me, this is a regular fight. I am a master boxer,” said the Ukrainian.
Usyk is said to be likely to face the winner of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois to reunite the four heavyweight titles, with Tyson Fury also potentially in a trilogy fight.
However, he would not speculate further about his boxing future, saying: “Right now I’m just focused on Rico and then we’ll talk about my plans for the future.
“But for now it’s only Egypt, May 23rd. It’s all about discipline, concentration and this game.”
