Anthony Joshua has announced a significant change in his training approach ahead of his highly anticipated fight against Jake Paul on December 19, 2024. The former heavyweight champion will prepare with members of Oleksandr Usyk’s team rather than under the guidance of his previous coach, Ben Davison. This decision comes as Joshua seeks to recalibrate his training environment following a challenging period.
The bout will take place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, marking Joshua’s return to the ring after his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. With a professional record of 28 wins and 4 losses, including 24 knockouts, Joshua is determined to make a strong statement against Paul, who has a record of 12 wins and 1 loss.
Joshua confirmed his training shift during a pre-fight news conference, revealing that he has been training in Spain. “I won’t be trained by Ben Davison. London’s a bit distracting for me, so I was invited to train with team Usyk,” Joshua stated. He emphasized the benefits of working alongside Usyk’s team, noting, “It’s been phenomenal man. It’s been a great experience and it’s very challenging.”
While Joshua has not sparred with Usyk directly, he acknowledged the heavyweight champion’s presence in the training camp over the past two months. The two have faced each other twice in the ring, with Joshua suffering defeats in both encounters in 2021 and 2022. Despite this, Joshua is optimistic about the upcoming fight against Paul, insisting he is taking the challenge seriously.
The former Olympic gold medalist is focused on demonstrating his boxing prowess. “I’m going to break his face, I’m going to break his body up, I’m going to stomp all over him,” Joshua declared, revealing his fierce mentality heading into the match. He expressed confidence in his skills, saying, “I know what’s in my heart, what’s in my mind. I’m here to compete.”
Jake Paul, who has generated considerable buzz in the boxing world with his unconventional career, remains confident of causing an upset. He has predicted a knockout victory over Joshua, aiming to finish the fight in either the fourth or fifth round.
As the fight date approaches, the anticipation continues to build. Fans are eager to see how Joshua’s new training strategy will influence the outcome of this clash against Paul, a rising star in the sport. The event promises to be a captivating showdown as both fighters prepare to leave their mark in the ring.
