Former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua has returned to training just months after he was involved in a tragic car crash that claimed the lives of his two close friends
Anthony Joshua has teamed up with Oleksandr Usyk ahead of a return to action
Anthony Joshua has once again teamed up with Oleksandr Usyk as he ramps up training ahead of a return to the ring later this year.
The Ukrainian and his team helped prepare ‘AJ’ for his last outing against Jake Paul back in December. In a rather dull and uninspiring encounter, the former two-time heavyweight world champion eventually knocked the YouTuber-turned-boxer out in the sixth round.
Joshua had been expected to return to the ring in February, before chasing a summer showdown with Tyson Fury. But tragedy struck just days after the Miami melee this past Christmas as ‘AJ’ was involved in a crash in Nigeria, with the accident claiming the lives of his two close friends: Sina Ghami and Lateef ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
‘AJ’ has slowly began to hit the gym again, but now appears to be ramping up his daily routine after he was spotted resuming training with Iegor Golub ahead of a comeback fight this year. Golub has played a key role in helping Usyk prepare for his fights over the years and began working with Joshua after the Brit’s split with Ben Davison following his defeat to Daniel Dubois back in 2024.
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Golub took to Instagram to share pictures of Joshua honing in on his skills under the watchful eye of the Ukrainian trainer – who captioned the post: “Back to training.” ‘AJ’ was snapped hammering away at a heavy bag, while also improving his conditioning with some jump ropes.
In a separate post uploaded to social media, Usyk was filmed providing Joshua some helpful tips on technique for a kettlebell exercise. The pair famously fought twice in 2021 and 2022 – with Usyk winning on both occasions – but are now firm friends. The Ukrainian, like Joshua, is also stepping up training ahead of his return to the squared-circle. The 39-year-old is due to take on kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in Egypt in May.
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Joshua has been tipped to return to the ring this summer – with Dillian Whyte’s name being floated around as a potential opponent. Recent stunning reports emerged that ‘AJ’ and Tyson Fury had agreed to meet later this year or early 2027, but promoter Eddie Hearn was quick to shut down those claims.
He told The Stomping Ground: “There is absolutely nothing signed with Anthony Joshua to fight Tyson Fury next. There is nothing agreed.” The Matchroom chief added: “There have been conversations – deep conversations prior to the accident – that he was going to fight Jake Paul, then fight in February or March in Saudi Arabia, then fight Tyson Fury. Then obviously the accident happened.”
