REJUVENATED Anthony Joshua could fight for another THREE YEARS thanks to old rival Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua – who was twice beaten by Usyk – joined the Ukrainian’s camp last year following a September 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois.
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Anthony Joshua in training camp with Oleksandr Usyk Credit: Instagram
Promoter Eddie Hearn with Usyk Credit: Reuters
AJ is now in Egypt to support his new training partner – who defends his WBC heavyweight world title against Rico Verhoeven.
And Eddie Hearn – promoting the event – revealed he thanked Usyk for taking Joshua under his wing and helping revive his career.
Hearn told JattvibeSport: “I posted saying ‘AJ’s flying’ and someone replied, ‘You always say that!’ And, I actually do.
“But, I’ve never seen him like this. I just grabbed a word with Usyk there. I just wanted to thank you.
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“Thank you for allowing him into your camp and thank you for all the motivation that he’s given him.
“Because he’s in a tremendous place. He’s in, I think, one of the best training camps in the world with the pound-for-pound number one pushing him every day.
“He’s enjoying training, he’s improving, he’s fitter than he’s ever been. But more than that, he’s motivated and excited about the future.”
Joshua, 36, returns on July 25 in Saudi Arabia against little-known 20-1 Albanian Kristian Prenga, 35.
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Oleksandr Usyk takes on the king of kickboxing Rico Verhoeven and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown against fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to make a comeback after his defeat to Terence Crawford, while Dave Allen will also be looking to get back to winning ways against Filip Hrgovic.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
May
Sat 23 – Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC title – DAZN
Sat 30 – Dmitry Bivol vs Michael Eifert – DAZN
Sat 30 – Adam Azim vs Steve Claggett – DAZN
June
Sat 6 – Fame Fighting v Misfits Boxing – The Jattvibe
Sat 6 – Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello – WBC super lightweight title – DAZN
Sat 6 – Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki – Paramount+
Sat 13 – Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall – DAZN
Sat 13 – Antonio Vargas vs Jesse “Bam” Rodrigues – DAZN
Sat 20 – Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi – DAZN
Sat 27 – Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – DAZN
July
Sat 25 – Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – DAZN
*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
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But contracts have already been signed for an overdue Battle of Britain bout against Tyson Fury, 37, later in the year.
Joshua claimed only last year that he had just two fights left.
But after being revitalised under Usyk, 39, the two-time heavyweight world champion could put another couple of years on his career.
Hearn said: “We said today there was a time we were saying 2026 might be his last year in boxing.
Usyk twice beat AJ before they began training together Credit: Reuters
Joshua and Usyk have now formed a close bond Credit: Instagram @usykaa
“Right now he’s talking about another three years. So yeah, he’s enjoying himself.
“And I’ve said to people before, like Carl Froch and people like that when I’ve had little arguments, and he says, ‘Why is he doing it?’
“I say he’s doing it because he loves it. I say, you’ve got to understand this guy wants it more than ever, he’s training harder than ever.
“He’s going outside of his comfort zone to find the best environment for him. And he’s found that in this training camp.”
Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria in December Credit: Reuters
The late Latif Ayodele, Joshua and Sina Ghami Credit: INSTAGRAM@EDDIEHEARN
Joshua’s first fight with the Usyk camp came in December when he knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 29, in six rounds.
But ten days later, tragedy struck when AJ was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his two friends.
Joshua took time out to recover from his injuries and mourn the loss of childhood pal Latif Ayodele and recovery therapist Sina Ghami.
And Hearn believes only boxing – which bonded his close circle together – can help him deal with the pain of their loss.
He said: “This is his kind of his safe place. This is his place where he can concentrate his mind.
“And obviously, it’s been an extremely difficult period in his life, but AJ’s a very determined individual and I think a lot of the grief and pain that he carries with him, he’s focusing into his training.
“A lot of what he does is dedicated towards his friends and his brothers, in Sina and Latz.
“And of course, there’ll be pain in his mind and his heart, but he’s focused on what he loves and he’s focused on what they all used to do together, which was being in training camp and working hard.”
