In just a few hours, all eyes will turn to Miami’s popular Kaseya Center for a highly anticipated showdown. The main event, for instance, pits former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua against underdog YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. This bout stands out for ‘AJ’, given the stark differences in size, style, and career achievements between the two fighters.

Naturally, fans are left wondering: who is guiding Joshua in preparation for this fight? ‘AJ,’ the man of the hour, is once again on the rise. Last year, his boxing record was mixed, going 1-1 in his two most recent fights. However, the ‘Judgment Day’ card brought a major shift to his training camp. So, what exactly changed? Let’s take a closer look.

Who is coaching Anthony Joshua for Jake Paul fight on December 19?

Anthony Joshua hasn’t stepped into the ring since last year, after suffering a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois. Last month, he confirmed that for his upcoming heavyweight showdown with Jake Paul on December 19, he would be skipping training with Ben Davison.

 Instead, Joshua opted to prepare with members of Oleksandr Usyk’s team ahead of the eight-round clash with Paul. So, what’s behind this significant shift in his training approach? 

Why Anthony Joshua switched from Ben Davison to Team Usyk for preparation

Since Anthony Joshua revealed that he would be training with Oleksandr Usyk’s team, the MMA community has been abuzz with speculation about why he opted not to work with Ben Davison, who had played a crucial role in Joshua’s camp ahead of his 2023 fight against Otto Wallin. The explanation, however, seems straightforward: Joshua didn’t want to train in London, where he felt distracted, and instead chose to prepare in Spain.

“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. I’ve been in Spain, and we’ve been doing some good training,” Joshua said during a pre-fight news conference. “He’s [Usyk] one of the best in the world. It’s not just down to him, it’s down to his team that’s around him,” Joshua added.

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Joshua’s decision to join his former rival Usyk’s team is being seen as a smart move to sharpen his technique.

How Oleksandr Usyk’s coaching team is preparing Joshua for the Netflix heavyweight bout

Anthony Joshua, with a traditional boxing foundation and elite fundamentals, has built an impressive career, winning Olympic gold and multiple world titles. These accomplishments have enhanced his skill set, molding him into a quintessential heavyweight boxer. 

Throughout his career, Joshua has trained under several renowned coaches, including longtime mentor Robert McCracken, Robert Garcia, Derrick James, and Ben Davison. For his December 19 fight, he will now be led by Igor, a teammate of Oleksandr Usyk, serving as his head coach.

“One hundred per cent, that’s a great move [to join Team Usyk]. They’re killing me, drilling,” Joshua said. With the countdown already on for Anthony Joshua’s next battle, the big question remains: will Jake Paul be an easy opponent for him, or will Joshua need a full fight camp to secure the win? Share your thoughts below.