In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has officially parted ways with his trainer and will now prepare for his upcoming fight with Jake Paul under the guidance of his former rival's team.
Major Training Camp Shake-Up
The bombshell announcement came during the press conference for his highly anticipated December 19 bout against Jake Paul in Miami. When questioned about his current training setup, Joshua confirmed he is no longer working with coach Ben Davison, citing distractions in London as a key factor.
"No, I won't be trained by Ben Davison," Joshua stated unequivocally. "I was invited to train with Team Usyk. I've been in Spain, we've been doing some good training, and I think he's one of the best in the world... Not I think, he is one of the best in the world."
Learning from Former Rivals
This represents a remarkable strategic shift for Joshua, who suffered two decisive defeats against Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022. By joining the very camp that masterminded those losses, Joshua seeks to gain invaluable insight into what makes Usyk such a dominant force in the sport.
"Getting an insight into how someone who's achieved so much has been phenomenal, it's been a great experience and very challenging," Joshua explained, revealing he has already spent several months training with Usyk's team in Spain. However, he clarified that he is not sparring directly with Usyk, as the champion is training at a separate location.
Confident Opponents and Concerning Size Difference
Jake Paul responded to news of Joshua's camp change with apparent confidence. "It's great. I mean, obviously, he's training with the best in the world. He's one of the best heavyweights in the world, we expect nothing less, and I want the best version of Anthony Joshua on December 19," Paul stated.
"It's going to be the best version of Jake Paul that you've seen, and we'll see who's better."
Despite Paul's bravado, the first face-off between the fighters highlighted a dramatic physical disparity that has many boxing fans concerned for the YouTube star turned professional boxer. Joshua holds significant advantages over Paul, standing five inches taller, weighing approximately 50 pounds more, and boasting a six-inch reach advantage.
Social media reactions reflected widespread concern for Paul's safety, with one fan commenting, "It's over for him," while another predicted, "Joshua is going to give him serious damage."
The December 19 event, which will stream live on Netflix, marks Joshua's return to the ring after a 15-month absence following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois. The undercard features several notable matchups, including a clash between UFC legends Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley, while Alycia Baumgardner will fight Leila Beaudoin for multiple super featherweight titles in the co-main event.
