Eddie Hearn describes Oleksandr Usyk’s influence on Anthony Joshua’s training as ‘remarkable.’
The image of Anthony Joshua exercising on a treadmill while being encouraged by Oleksandr Usyk was a touching moment.
Four months following the devastating car accident that resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, two of Joshua’s closest friends and team members, the British heavyweight is back, reacquainting himself with the gym as he works towards regaining full fitness.
Joshua is anticipated to receive clearance to resume full training within the next two weeks, aided in part by his time spent with Usyk at his training facility in Spain.
The camp, which ESPN visited last year prior to Usyk’s undisputed heavyweight match against Daniel Dubois, is located in the serene town of Gandia, just outside Valencia. It serves as an ideal location for preparation away from media attention and distractions.
When promoter Eddie Hearn visited the camp to check on Joshua, he expressed his admiration.
View this post on Instagram
“AJ was fully engaged with his heart rate, and Usyk was encouraging him: ‘Come on champ, push, push, push.’ I was observing, thinking: ‘This is remarkable what I’m witnessing,'” Hearn told reporters this week.
“You’ve got the pound-for-pound No.1. You have the individual who defeated him twice, who is likely the biggest star in the sport. It’s extraordinary.”
Joshua collaborated with Usyk’s team before his fight against Jake Paul last year, aiding him in returning to the ring for the first time in a year following his defeat to Dubois in September 2024.
This same team is now assisting him in recovering from a different challenge, and their support is crucial for Joshua.
When asked by ESPN about the benefits of this relationship for Joshua, Hearn stated: “Just an incredible boost. When I was there … He was performing these circuits, these sprints, tempo sprints, that sort of training.
“He would complete his sprints, then move on to a kettlebell [exercise] and then do a [sled push] with a large fitness trainer standing on the sled.
View this post on Instagram
“I believe he is quite content at the moment.”
Usyk is also pleased to have Joshua around. The Ukrainian shared with Ring Magazine this week that his two sons, Mikhail and Kirill, enjoy playing with the Brit.
“They always tell me: ‘Hey papa, we want to play with AJ,'” Usyk remarked. “But it’s my responsibility to say ‘no, AJ, go and rest.’
“However, Kirill will invite AJ to play basketball, and he will respond, ‘Of course.’ I’ll say, ‘Hey Kirill!’ but AJ reassures me that we can go and play.”
While he considers both Tyson Fury and Joshua as friends, Usyk is supporting his new teammate to win if the British heavyweights eventually face off in the ring.
“I have faith. I observe how Anthony is training. He’s a machine,” Usyk stated. “Now I think Anthony requires assistance. Those who support AJ, we must affirm: ‘Yes, we do believe!'”
