Anthony Joshua has announced a significant change in his training regime as he prepares for his upcoming fight against Jake Paul on December 19, 2024. Instead of training under his usual coach, Ben Davison, Joshua will work with members of Oleksandr Usyk‘s team in Spain. This move comes after Joshua’s last fight, where he suffered a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
The highly anticipated bout between Joshua (28-4, 24 KOs) and Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) will take place in an eight-round heavyweight contest at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Joshua, who has not fought since his defeat to Dubois, underwent elbow surgery earlier this year, making this upcoming fight crucial for his career.
At a pre-fight news conference, Joshua expressed his reasons for the change, stating that London had become too distracting for him. “I won’t be trained by Ben Davison. I was invited to train with Team Usyk. I’ve been in Spain, and we’ve been doing some good training,” he said.
Training with Usyk’s Team
Joshua emphasized the value of training with Usyk’s camp, acknowledging the champion’s expertise. “He’s one of the best in the world. It’s not just down to him; it’s down to his team that’s around him. I linked up with them to gain insight into how someone has achieved so much,” he added.
Despite not sparring with Usyk directly, Joshua noted that the Ukrainian has been present during his training sessions over the past two months. This experience has provided Joshua with new insights and challenges as he prepares for his fight against Paul.
Joshua has faced Usyk twice in the past, losing both encounters by decision in 2021 and 2022. The former Olympic gold medalist is determined to approach the fight against Paul with seriousness, aiming to make a strong statement in the ring.
“I’m going to break his face, I’m going to break his body up, I’m going to stomp all over him. That’s my mentality; that’s a fighter’s mentality. I know what’s in my heart, what’s in my mind. I’m here to compete,” Joshua declared, showcasing his intensity and focus.
Paul’s Confidence and Predictions
On the other side, Jake Paul remains confident about the fight, predicting he will secure a knockout victory in either the fourth or fifth round. With just 13 professional bouts under his belt, Paul is eager to pull off what he describes as a huge upset against the seasoned heavyweight.
As the date of the fight approaches, both fighters are ramping up their preparations, promising an exciting matchup that could significantly impact the careers of both Joshua and Paul. The world will be watching as these two athletes collide in what is shaping up to be a compelling heavyweight clash.
