Anthony Joshua joins Oleksandr Usyk for intense Ukraine training camp
British heavyweight Anthony Joshua has returned to intense training alongside former rival Oleksandr Usyk in Ukraine, four months after surviving a fatal car crash.
Unlikely alliance follows tragic accident
The 35-year-old’s boxing future appeared uncertain following a tragic incident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two teammates.
However, the Watford-born fighter quickly resumed gym work before travelling to eastern Europe to link up with the unified heavyweight champion.
The partnership marks a remarkable shift in dynamics after the Ukrainian dethroned Joshua in 2021 and retained the belts in their 2022 rematch.
Gruelling circuits and newfound motivation
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the joint sessions have provided his fighter with a much-needed psychological and physical resurgence.
Hearn detailed a brutal regime involving tempo sprints, kettle-bell routines and heavily weighted sledge pulls overseen by the pound-for-pound star.
“When I was there, he’d be doing these circuits, like he’s doing these tempo sprints,” Hearn stated.
“He would do his sprints, then he’d go over and do this kettle-bell circuit, then he’d do sledge – with this f***ing big fitness trainer standing on the sledge.”
Setting sights on future challenges
The former undisputed cruiserweight king has actively taken on a motivational role during the gruelling workouts.
“What you didn’t see was times when AJ was all out on his heart rate and Usyk was going: ‘Push, push, push,'” Hearn added.
“You’ve got the pound-for-pound number one, you’ve got the guy who he beat twice – who’s probably the biggest star in the sport – and it’s incredible.”
This unique collaboration has left the British promoter convinced that his heavyweight contender is now fully prepared to defeat domestic rival Tyson Fury.
