Oleksandr Usyk is deep in training camp for his May 23rd WBC Heavyweight Title defense, and he’s doing it alongside a familiar face — former two-time unified champion Anthony Joshua, the man he defeated twice.
Loading tweet...
The two heavyweights, who waged a pair of memorable wars — first in September 2021 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and then in a rematch in August 2022 in Jeddah — are now sharing a gym as Usyk prepares for the biggest crossover event in recent boxing history.
Joshua previously joined Team Usyk’s training base in Spain ahead of his December 2025 fight against Jake Paul, working closely with Usyk’s longtime coaches Yuri Tkachenko and Sergey Lapin, and that partnership has continued into Usyk’s current camp.
Loading tweet...
A Historic Rivalry Turned Partnership
The dynamic between Usyk and Joshua remains one of the most compelling storylines in modern heavyweight boxing. Usyk defeated Joshua by unanimous decision in their 2021 bout, stripping him of the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles, then retained those belts via split decision in their 2022 rematch.
Now, rather than adversaries, the two are allies in camp — with Joshua drawing on the knowledge and environment of the team that beat him twice.
Usyk, 39, last fought in July 2025, stopping Daniel Dubois in five rounds to reclaim the undisputed heavyweight crown, and enters “Glory in Giza” as a heavy favorite against the crossover challenger.
Glory in Giza | May 23, 2026 | Pyramids of Giza, Egypt | Live & Exclusive on DAZN
Loading tweet...
