Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk Train Together Before Upcoming Fights

May 9, 2026, 21:47
AfricaSports

Introduction

Heavyweight boxers Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk have changed their relationship from rivals to training partners as they prepare for their next matches.

Main Body

The new friendship between Joshua and Usyk comes after a period of competition where Usyk won two fights against Joshua. This change is clear from their joint training camps in Spain and Ukraine. The pair shared their progress on social media, including an Instagram video showing them doing beach sprints and working with heavy bags, which reminds fans of the famous relationship between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed. This training follows a difficult time for Joshua, who was involved in a fatal car accident in Nigeria last December that killed two of his associates. Promoter Eddie Hearn emphasized that training with Usyk has given Joshua a huge psychological and physical boost. Hearn described a tough routine involving sprints, kettle-bell exercises, and weighted sledges, noting that the intensity of the workouts was gradually increased. Looking ahead to their professional schedules, Joshua is set to fight Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This fight is seen as a warm-up before a possible match against Tyson Fury at the end of the year. Meanwhile, Usyk, the two-time undisputed world heavyweight champion, is expected to defend his WBC title against Rico Verhoeven in Egypt within two weeks.

Conclusion

Both athletes are now using this partnership to reach their peak performance for their scheduled fights in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Learning

⚑️ The 'Upgrade' Logic: Moving from A2 to B2

To stop sounding like a beginner, you need to replace simple verbs with precise descriptors. Look at how the text describes the boxers' progress. An A2 student says "they are training hard," but a B2 speaker uses Dynamic Collocations.

πŸ›  The Power Shift

Instead of using "very" or "a lot," look at these phrases from the text:

  • "Huge psychological boost" β†’\rightarrow (Instead of: "He feels much better")
  • "Reach their peak performance" β†’\rightarrow (Instead of: "Be very good")
  • "Gradually increased" β†’\rightarrow (Instead of: "Got harder slowly")

🧠 Linguistic Insight: The "Warm-up" Concept

In the article, the fight against Prenga is called a "warm-up."

In B2 English, we use "warm-up" as a metaphor. It doesn't just mean stretching your muscles; it means any activity that prepares you for a bigger challenge.

Example: "This small project is just a warm-up for the big presentation next month."

πŸ“ Vocabulary Expansion

A2 WordB2 Upgrade (From Text)Why it works
EnemyRivalMore professional/sporty
ChangeTransition (Implied)Shows a process
Hard workIntensityDescribes the quality of effort

Vocabulary Learning

tough (adj.)
Very difficult or challenging
Example:The training routine was tough, but it helped them improve.
rival (n.)
A competitor or opponent
Example:They were once rivals before becoming partners.
training (n.)
The process of practicing to improve skills
Example:Their training sessions are held in Spain.
friendship (n.)
A close bond between people
Example:Their friendship grew stronger after the matches.
competition (n.)
An event where people try to win against each other
Example:The competition was intense and hard to predict.
joint (adj.)
Shared or done together by two or more parties
Example:They organized a joint event to showcase their skills.
camps (n.)
A place where people stay and train for a period of time
Example:The camps lasted for two weeks.
social (adj.)
Relating to society or community, especially online
Example:They shared updates on social media.
promoter (n.)
A person who organizes events and markets them
Example:The promoter announced the upcoming fight.
psychological (adj.)
Relating to the mind or mental state
Example:The psychological support was crucial after the accident.
physical (adj.)
Relating to the body or physical activity
Example:The physical demands of boxing are high.
boost (v.)
To increase or improve something
Example:The training gave him a boost in confidence.
routine (n.)
A regular series of actions performed in order
Example:Their routine includes sprints and weight training.
sprints (n.)
Short, fast running exercises
Example:Sprints are an essential part of their conditioning.
kettle-bell (adj.)
Describing exercises that use a kettlebell
Example:They used kettle-bell exercises for strength.
weighted (adj.)
Having added weight for resistance
Example:They lifted weighted sledges during drills.
intensity (n.)
The level of strength or force in an activity
Example:The intensity of the workouts increased gradually.
workouts (n.)
Sessions of physical exercise
Example:The workouts are designed to improve endurance.
warm-up (n.)
A short activity to prepare the body for exercise
Example:A warm-up session helps prevent injuries.
possible (adj.)
Capable of happening or being done
Example:A possible match against Fury is being considered.
defend (v.)
To protect or maintain a position or title
Example:He will defend his title in Egypt.
champion (n.)
A person who wins a competition or holds a title
Example:He is a two-time undisputed champion.
scheduled (adj.)
Planned to happen at a particular time
Example:The fight is scheduled for July 25.
performance (n.)
The act of performing or how well someone performs
Example:They aim for peak performance in the upcoming bouts.