Anthony Joshua has revealed the two ways in which training alongside his former opponent, Oleksandr Usyk, has changed his approach to boxing. AJ was speaking ahead of his comeback to the sport, which is set to include a much-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury later this year.

Before he can fully focus on that bout, though, he must first safely negotiate his return to the ring on the 25th of July against unheralded contender, Kristian Prenga, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Though Usyk labored to a controversial 11th round knockout win in a crossover fight against the boxing novice, Rico Verhoeven, on the 23rd of May at the Pyramids of Giza, he remains one of the most decorated and established pound-for-pound fighters in the entire sport.

Usyk is admired for his prior dominance at cruiserweight, and for the way in which he lapped the competition at heavyweight through wins over Joshua himself, as well as Daniel Dubois and Fury.

Since dropping those losses to Usyk and, more recently, Dubois, the former two-time heavyweight king, AJ, has joined Usyk’s team and camp to learn from the Ukrainian maestro.

At a press event in London, Joshua explained what he’s learned from his time with the champ.

Joshua Now Trains With Usyk Full-Time

The new partnership began ahead of Joshua’s crossover bout with the creator-turned-fight figure, Jake Paul. With London becoming too distracting for Joshua’s increasing celebrity status, he left for Valencia to join Usyk’s team on a 10-day basis. But, according to AJ’s career-long promoter, Eddie Hearn, “he just never came back.”

Joshua maintained the relationship through 2026. They posted memes of one another to the Rocky theme, and Usyk’s sports director, Sergey Lapin, said the collaboration “isn’t about one opponent [but, rather] AJ’s development.”

There was even a suggestion Usyk could corner Joshua for a championship bout or, perhaps, the Tyson Fury mega-fight. But, though, it remains to be seen whether Usyk will be present for the Prenga fight, the effect he has had on Joshua has never been clearer.

What Anthony Joshua Has Learned From Oleksandr Usyk

On the two ways Usyk changed his perspective on boxing as he prepares to face Prenga and later Fury, Joshua said: “Fitness — and not just fitness for running, but boxing fitness. And IQ. When I say that, I mean defence. I understand it. I can really read punches again.”

The Brit, who has 26 knockouts from 29 wins, with only four defeats, added: “[I am] fully locked in. I can see it again. The punches. I can read the opponent really well, and [I’m] not focused on other stuff. I’m going to respect the sport of boxing.

“There’s a certain level of energy it takes to be a championship fighter, and you can’t be anywhere underneath that if you want to be good,” Joshua said. “And when you align your energy to that, everything becomes easy. I put my energy fully into boxing.

“I feel myself improving again,” he finished.

Watch AJ lift the lid on his experience with Usyk right here:

While the Joshua vs Prenga fight was announced earlier in the year, the rest of the card is yet to be confirmed. Considering Joshua’s agreement with DAZN, that broadcaster will likely stream the entire show. With Matchroom promoting, other Eddie Hearn fighters will likely join AJ on the bill.

Should Joshua defat Prenga, the date for his showdown with Fury is expected to be announced straight after.

Gabriel Magalhaes gave everything he had in Budapest. The Brazilian centre-back was colossal throughout every stage of the Champions League, putting in defensive shifts that did as much as anyone’s to keep Arsenal competitive throughout both their Premier League and European runs.

But one moment undid it all. When Gabriel stepped up to take Arsenal’s fifth penalty in the shoot-out, with the tie there to be saved, his effort soared high over the crossbar and Paris Saint-Germain were champions of Europe for the second successive year.

It was a devastating end to what had been a monumental season, and in the hours that followed, as Arsenal supporters processed the pain, a message of support arrived from a source that few would’ve predicted.

John Terry’s Message to Arsenal’s Gabriel

John Terry, the England and Chelsea legend and lifelong adversary of everything to do with Arsenal, set aside the rivalry to offer a set of heartfelt words directed at Gabriel in the aftermath of the final.

The former Chelsea captain knows better than most what it feels like to miss a penalty in a Champions League final:

“Wow, a horrible way to lose. I got it completely wrong in my predictions. I thought PSG were poor and Arsenal got off to a great start with the goal from Havertz. But fair play to Arsenal, I think they’ve been superb in the Premier League and Champions League. But they just miss out and it’s a horrible way to lose.”

He then turned his attention squarely to Gabriel:

It was a compassionate message from a man who had every reason to enjoy Chelsea’s status as the only London club to have lifted the Champions League trophy.

John Terry’s Own Penalty Heartbreak In Moscow

The reason Terry’s words carry such weight is that he lived through an almost identical moment himself. In the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow, with Chelsea facing Manchester United in a penalty shoot-out, he stepped up with the chance to win the trophy for his club. Terry slipped on the rain-soaked turf at the crucial moment, with his penalty cannoning off the post, and Chelsea went on to lose.

It’s one of the most iconic and heartbreaking images in Champions League history, and a moment that’s stayed in his mind as time went on.

Terry’s personal experience gives his message to Gabriel a credibility and sincerity that moves past the usual platitudes offered in the aftermath of a big occasion like this. He isn’t simply offering sympathy from the outside, he’s speaking as someone who woke up the morning after a Champions League final feeling exactly as Gabriel feels now.

Gabriel, for his part, showed admirable resilience. He was present and engaged at Arsenal’s Premier League title parade the very next day. They moved through north London, where over one million supporters turned out to celebrate England’s newest champions.

On Instagram, he wrote: “It’s painful, but I’m proud of this team and everything we achieved together this season. Thank you to our incredible fans for your support every step of the way. You deserve to celebrate this journey with us and enjoy the parade today! See you next season!!! Love, Big Gabi.”

Manchester United appear to be one of the busiest clubs in the transfer market even though the summer window doesn’t open for another fortnight.

Man United are making some serious moves ahead of the window opening on June 15, which is understandable given the 2026 World Cup is taking place for a huge chunk of it.

The Red Devils already appear to be closing in on a deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that a transfer for the Brazilian will happen barring a major late twist.

Should a deal go through, the 26-year-old could be one of three midfield arrivals at Old Trafford before the start of next season, as United chiefs look to replace the outgoing Casemiro. His fellow South American Manuel Ugarte is reportedly up for sale too having failed to convince Michael Carrick that he should be getting regular minutes.

If the Uruguayan does go, then it is more likely that we could see a third midfield signing, with United now needing to decide where they turn to next if a deal for Ederson does get the green light.

Man United ‘Accelerate’ Move to Sign Mateus Fernandes

West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a potential key midfield target in recent weeks, which has only been heightened by the Hammers’ relegation to the Championship.

Last summer, the 21-year-old left Southampton after they fell into the second tier, and it seems likely that the Portugal international will seek a move away from the Irons too to avoid playing second-tier football.

According to CaughtOffside, United’s transfer committee have now ‘accelerated talks’ with Fernandes’ representatives over a summer switch to Old Trafford.

West Ham are said to value the ‘superstar’ at up to £52m even after their relegation to the Championship, although suitors are likely to want to negotiate a lower fee, especially with knowledge that the east Londoners need to balance the books.

Bruno Fernandes in Dreamland if Mateus Fernandes Signs

Previous reports have suggested that Carrick ‘loves’ Fernandes and wants him to be part of their squad for next season.

Should the Red Devils be able to push a deal for the 21-year-old closer to the £40-45m mark, then it could be a great deal for a midfielder who clearly has a big future in the game.

He has arguably been the best player in his teams over the last two seasons, even if they were both relegated, in turn showing that he deserves to play at a higher level.

Fernandes’ versatility is likely to stand out to Carrick, given he has shown he can play in a variety of roles across the midfield, including as a No.6, 8 and 10.

Carrick isn’t the only big fan of Fernandes in the United dressing room, with his national compatriot Bruno also said to be a huge admirer of the Portuguese midfielder, and has recommended that the club sign him.