Anthony Joshua’s Relationship With Oleksandr Usyk Has Taken an Unexpected Turn

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk once stood on opposite sides of one of the biggest rivalries in heavyweight boxing.

Today, their relationship looks almost unrecognizable.

The Ukrainian champion defeated Joshua twice, taking away his heavyweight titles in 2021 before winning their rematch in Saudi Arabia in 2022. Those two losses represented one of the most difficult chapters of Joshua’s career.

Yet years later, the two heavyweights are no longer simply former opponents.

They have become training partners, friends and trusted allies, creating one of the most unexpected relationships in the modern heavyweight division.

Joshua’s decision to work alongside Usyk’s team initially stunned the boxing world. After suffering two defeats against the Ukrainian, the British star could easily have kept his distance.

Instead, Joshua moved closer.

And Usyk welcomed him.

That transformation has become even more significant as Joshua’s career enters another critical stage, with his long-awaited showdown against Tyson Fury now facing serious uncertainty.

What began as an unlikely partnership could suddenly become one of the most important alliances of Joshua’s career.

The Man Who Beat Joshua Twice Is Now Helping Him

There was a time when the idea of Joshua and Usyk sharing a training environment would have sounded almost impossible.

Usyk had beaten Joshua in back-to-back fights and established himself as one of the most technically difficult heavyweight opponents of his generation.

The first fight took place in September 2021 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Usyk defeated Joshua by unanimous decision and captured the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles.

Joshua had the opportunity to take revenge almost one year later.

He came into the rematch determined to change the outcome, but Usyk again found a way to win, this time by split decision in Jeddah.

The Ukrainian had solved the Joshua puzzle twice.

But instead of allowing that rivalry to permanently define their relationship, the two fighters eventually found common ground.

By 2026, Joshua had joined Usyk’s training environment, and the relationship had developed far beyond a simple professional connection.

Usyk has described Joshua as a friend and explained that the two now work together rather than viewing each other as enemies.

That is a remarkable transformation considering what happened between them inside the ring.

Usyk Reveals How Their Relationship Changed

The most intriguing part of the story is not simply that Joshua trained with Usyk.

It is why the relationship changed so dramatically.

Usyk previously viewed Joshua as an opponent standing between him and heavyweight glory.

Now, he has spoken positively about working with the British fighter and even offered to help him prepare for Tyson Fury.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Usyk described the relationship in strikingly different terms from their earlier rivalry, explaining that they now help each other, work together and joke around in training.

That evolution matters because Joshua is preparing for one of the biggest potential fights of his career.

And the man who once defeated him twice could now have valuable insight into how to approach Tyson Fury.

Usyk knows Fury better than almost anyone.

The Ukrainian fought Fury twice in 2024, winning both contests and becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

That experience gives Usyk a unique perspective on Fury’s strengths, weaknesses, rhythm and tactical habits.

For Joshua, that knowledge could be extremely valuable.

Joshua Has Not Closed the Door on a Third Fight With Usyk

The relationship has become so close that Joshua has even spoken positively about the possibility of facing Usyk again.

That would have sounded unbelievable immediately after their second fight.

But Joshua has made it clear that he does not view a potential third meeting through the same emotional lens anymore.

Instead, he has described the idea as friendly competition.

That distinction is important.

The first two fights were about championships, rivalry and dominance.

A potential third encounter would represent something entirely different.

It would be about legacy.

Joshua wants another opportunity to reclaim his place at the top of the heavyweight division. Usyk, meanwhile, has already established himself as one of the greatest fighters of his generation and has indicated that he wants to carefully choose the final chapter of his career.

In June, Usyk announced that he was vacating his heavyweight belts but emphasized that he was not leaving boxing.

He described his next phase as his “last dance.”

That immediately created speculation about who could share the ring with him before he walks away.

Joshua remains one of the most fascinating possibilities.

The Timing Could Not Be More Dramatic

The relationship between Joshua and Usyk has become even more interesting because of the uncertainty surrounding Joshua’s proposed fight with Tyson Fury.

The long-awaited all-British blockbuster has encountered another major obstacle.

Joshua and Fury had been expected to meet later in 2026, but negotiations have become complicated by a dispute over the location of the fight.

Joshua’s side has pushed for the bout to take place in the United Kingdom, while organizers have reportedly favored Madison Square Garden in New York.

The disagreement has created uncertainty around a fight that fans have waited years to see.

Then Fury dramatically changed the situation.

The former heavyweight champion publicly suggested that the Joshua fight was off and immediately called on Usyk to fight him for a third time.

That move sent shockwaves through the heavyweight division.

Fury has already lost twice to Usyk.

Yet with Joshua negotiations stalled, he suddenly returned to the Ukrainian as a potential opponent.

Usyk’s camp, however, has made it clear that the Ukrainian will not simply serve as a backup option.

Fury’s Challenge Makes Joshua and Usyk’s Alliance Even More Important

Fury’s decision to call out Usyk has created an extraordinary triangle involving the three biggest names in heavyweight boxing.

Joshua wants Fury.

Fury says he wants Usyk.

Usyk has already defeated Fury twice.

And Joshua is now training with the man who knows Fury better than almost anyone.

That dynamic gives Joshua a fascinating advantage.

If Fury and Joshua eventually reach an agreement, Usyk’s experience could become a major part of Joshua’s preparation.

The Ukrainian knows exactly what it takes to survive Fury’s size, movement, awkwardness and tactical changes.

He has already experienced those challenges firsthand.

For Joshua, having access to that knowledge could be priceless.

The relationship therefore goes far beyond a friendship story.

It could directly affect the competitive future of heavyweight boxing.

Usyk May Be the Person Joshua Needs Most Right Now

Joshua’s career has experienced extraordinary highs and difficult lows.

He became a unified heavyweight champion, suffered back-to-back defeats against Usyk, rebuilt himself and continued chasing another opportunity at the top.

His career appeared to be moving toward the Fury fight after his July victory over Kristian Prenga.

But that fight was not completely straightforward.

Joshua was knocked down twice before eventually stopping Prenga, creating additional questions about where he stands ahead of another elite heavyweight challenge.

That is precisely why his relationship with Usyk could be so significant.

Joshua does not simply need another training partner.

He needs information.

He needs elite-level experience.

And he needs someone who understands what it takes to beat the most difficult opponents in the division.

Usyk provides all three.

The Irony of Their Story Is Impossible to Ignore

There is an extraordinary irony at the heart of Joshua and Usyk’s relationship.

The man who once took Joshua’s titles could now be helping him win another championship.

The fighter who once stood across the ring from Joshua could now stand beside him in the gym.

The opponent who caused one of the biggest setbacks of Joshua’s career could potentially help him prepare for the man he has been waiting years to fight.

That is why the story has attracted so much attention.

Boxing rivalries normally create permanent divisions.

Joshua and Usyk have done almost the opposite.

Their rivalry eventually evolved into mutual respect.

And that respect has now created an alliance that could influence the heavyweight landscape.

Joshua’s Future Has Never Been More Complicated

The biggest question is no longer simply whether Joshua will fight Fury.

It is what happens if that fight collapses completely.

Fury has already presented Usyk as his alternative.

Usyk, meanwhile, has his own plans and has publicly indicated that his career is entering its final stage.

Joshua could therefore find himself facing several possible paths.

A fight with Fury would provide the enormous all-British showdown fans have demanded for years.

A third fight with Usyk would give Joshua the chance to finally solve the puzzle that has defeated him twice.

And if both possibilities remain complicated, Joshua could be forced to take another route toward a heavyweight title.

That uncertainty makes his connection with Usyk even more valuable.

Could Usyk Help Joshua Rewrite His Legacy?

Joshua’s legacy is already secure in many respects.

He became an Olympic champion.

He won world heavyweight titles.

He defeated multiple former and future contenders.

But the defeats against Usyk remain an important part of his story.

A third meeting would give him the ultimate opportunity to rewrite that chapter.

At the same time, a victory over Fury would completely transform the conversation around Joshua.

That is why the current situation feels so significant.

Joshua is not simply trying to win another fight.

He is attempting to determine how the final chapters of his career will be remembered.

And standing unexpectedly close to him is the man who once stopped his championship reign.

The Heavyweight Division Is Watching

The heavyweight division now finds itself in an unusual position.

Usyk has stepped away from his championship belts but remains active.

Fury is searching for a major opponent after the Joshua negotiations hit another obstacle.

Joshua is preparing for what could be the defining stage of his comeback.

And all three fighters remain connected.

The possibility of Fury fighting Usyk for a third time has suddenly returned to the conversation.

Joshua could still end up facing Fury.

And the possibility of Joshua fighting Usyk again has not disappeared either.

That means the relationship between Joshua and Usyk could become even more important before the year is over.

From Bitter Rivals to Unexpected Allies

Perhaps the most fascinating part of the entire story is how little the relationship resembles their past.

Joshua once tried to take back the titles Usyk had taken from him.

Now they train together.

They exchange knowledge.

They support each other.

And Usyk has openly described Joshua as a friend.

That transformation has changed the narrative around both fighters.

Usyk is no longer simply the man who defeated Joshua.

He has become someone Joshua can learn from.

And with the heavyweight division entering another period of uncertainty, that friendship could prove to be much more than a feel-good boxing story.

It could become a major factor in the future of Anthony Joshua.

The Next Move Could Change Everything

The boxing world is now waiting for clarity.

Will Joshua and Fury finally agree on the conditions for their blockbuster?

Will Fury abandon that fight permanently and pursue a third meeting with Usyk?

Will Usyk accept another fight with Fury after already beating him twice?

Or could Joshua eventually find his way back to the Ukrainian for one final chapter?

For now, there are more questions than answers.

But one thing has become increasingly clear.

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk are no longer defined by the two fights that once separated them.

The former rivals have built an unexpected relationship based on respect, training and mutual support.

And at a moment when Joshua’s career is once again facing a major crossroads, the man who once took away his heavyweight crown could become one of the most important people in his corner.

That is what makes their story so compelling.

The boxer who once represented one of Joshua’s greatest defeats may now represent something completely different:

an opportunity to rebuild, evolve and potentially rewrite the ending of his career.