Anthony Joshua has clearly decided ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ after announcing a trainer change for his massive December 19 showdown vs Jake Paul in Miami.
The two-time world heavyweight champion lost his titles to the great Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, and then fell to the Ukrainian again in a rematch in 2022. Now he has decided to work with Team Usyk for the showdown with Paul.
Joshua revealed the huge news during the opening press conference to announce his showdown with the Youtuber in Miami on Friday, and it means Ben Davison is out after heading up AJ’s corner since his win over Otto Wallin in December 2023.
AJ confirmed that he has been working with Team Usyk for two months as he prepares for his eight-rounder vs Paul and that he will have a new corner in place on fight night.
AJ revealed: “I won’t be trained by Ben Davison. I said that London’s a bit distracting for me, so I was invited to train with Team Usyk. We’ve been doing some good training out in Spain, and I think he’s [Oleksander Usyk] one of the best in the world. And it’s not all down to him; it’s also down to his team that surrounds him.
“So I linked up with them and [I’m] getting insight into how someone who’s achieved so much. It’s been phenomenal, man. It’s been a great experience, and it’s very challenging.”
Joshua weight clause
The other big news coming out of Friday’s presser is that there will not be a rehydration clause for the big fight, but Joshua did confirm he will need to weigh in at no more than 111kg (245lbs or 17st 7lbs) at the official weigh-in on Thursday December 18.
Joshua will be fighting for the first time since a devastating knockout defeat by Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024. He confirmed that he has been healthy now for eight months since having elbow surgery earlier this year.
AJ said he has taken a year out from boxing by choice to get his business interest outside the ring, and to trim his team down.
He is now looking at December 19 as a stepping stone towards a massive 2026, which he hopes will culminate in that long-awaited showdown vs Tyson Fury. Potentially at Wembley Stadium in September.
How much will Joshua and Jake earn?
The financial rewards for this fight will be astronomical – remember Jake vs Mike Tyson drawing in 108m viewers on Netflix back in November 2024?
Reports suggest the pair will share a massive purse of £140m – so £70m each. And Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has already confirmed it will be the biggest payday of his man’s career.
