Anthony Joshua urged to ‘show greatness’ by Usyk camp ahead of return
Anthony Joshua has revealed that Oleksandr Usyk’s team urged him to “show greatness” during training sessions ahead of his heavyweight comeback against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia.
The 36-year-old is preparing for his highly anticipated return to the ring this Saturday.
He spent time preparing alongside his former Ukrainian rival in an effort to sharpen his competitive edge.
Raising the standard
The two-time world champion explained how the elite setup demanded he elevate his daily standards.
A potential blockbuster clash with domestic rival Tyson Fury looms on the horizon later this year, adding significant weight to his upcoming performance.
“It’s an elite team. I got to see how he prepared for Rico Verhoeven,” Joshua said.
“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.”
“But these guys are like, ‘nah’. They want to see more, like bring it out.”
Delivering under pressure
The veteran fighter acknowledged the stark difference between comfortable gym form and the reality of a high-stakes bout.
“Sometimes in a fight, you don’t have that luxury to make improvements,” he explained.
“You’re fighting because you’re in such a moment that puts so much pressure on your shoulders.”
The visiting training camp instilled the belief that exceptional performances must become a daily habit rather than a sudden reaction.
“That’s what Usyk’s team were saying. Your greatness should just be something that you do every day in the gym.”
“You shouldn’t have to take yourself to that level where you’re under so much pressure. You should be able to do it from round one.”
Seeking a ruthless finish
The British heavyweight boasts a formidable professional record, having secured 29 victories across 33 career bouts.
Crucially, 26 of those wins have come by way of knockout, underlining the historical finishing power he hopes to unleash this weekend.
He remains determined to showcase his raw aggression and stop his opponent early if the opportunity arises.
“That’s the name of the game. There’s no overtime,” he stated.
“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.”