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Anthony Joshua Reveals How Training With Oleksandr Usyk Has Improved Him

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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.


Usyk punches Verhoeven


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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

Anthony Joshua

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.


Oleksandr Usyk


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Arne Engels Wants to Leave Celtic This Summer

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Arne Engels wants to leave Celtic this summer and take the next step in his career, according to Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

The Glasgow club had a difficult season which saw them have three first-team managers throughout the campaign, with Brendan Rodgers resigning in October, before Wilfried Nancy was sacked in January after six defeats in eight games.

Martin O’Neill came in as an interim boss on two occasions, including for the second half of the season, and helped to guide the team to the Scottish Premiership title on the final day with a win over Hearts. But now, one of his key players looks set to depart.

Arne Engels Wants to Leave Celtic

Arne Engels Celtic

According to a report, Engels has made the decision that he wants to leave Celtic this summer for a new challenge.

The midfield sensation, who has been described as ‘powerful’, registered seven goals and assisted eight times playing in the heart of the midfield 46 times across the campaign.

The Belgium international, who was not named in the country’s World Cup squad for this summer, has attracted the interest of a number of top clubs across Europe, including AC Milan and teams in the Premier League with his performances, and feels now is the right time to make the move.

It’s understood that Engels has recently joined the DWMA football agency to try and facilitate a move away from Glasgow, with Nottingham Forest linked with a return for his services after seeing a £25m bid rejected for his services during the January transfer window.

Celtic are believed to be braced for significant interest in the 24-year-old, and it now seems as though he is ready to take them up on that interest by pushing for a move away.

Engels Move Looks Inevitable

Chelsea Training Session
COBHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 15: Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea looks on during a Chelsea training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against Paris Saint-Germain at Chelsea Training Ground on February 15, 2016 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)

With Celtic having a tough season despite winning the league, it looks inevitable that there will be big changes within the squad this summer, and some outgoings that aren’t necessarily wanted could end up happening.

Engels would ultimately fall into that category, but much like Matt O’Riley before him, the club know they can get big money for him and potentially use the cash to strengthen several areas of the squad to get stronger.

He joined the club and has done a fantastic job since being there, but as usual, it was never going to be a long-term role, and now the Hoops must plan for life without him.


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Jurgen Klopp Already Gave His Opinion on Andoni Iraola

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Arne Slot’s time at Liverpool has come to an end following the 2025-26 season, with Andoni Iraola emerging as the new favourite to replace the Dutchman in the Anfield dugout for next season.

The Reds endured a dismal Premier League campaign after the heights of winning the title last season, with performances dropping off to a considerable degree.

While one point in the final game of the season was enough to secure a return to the Champions League for next campaign, fans had already voiced their discontent in recent weeks over decisions being made by the head coach.

That played a part in Slot losing his job, but with Xabi Alonso taking the job at Chelsea, there has been no obvious candidate to take over the role.

That is until now, with Iraola seemingly on Liverpool’s radar, with the Spaniard having left Bournemouth at the end of the season.

It would be a huge call from the board, but one that may well have the Jurgen Klopp seal of approval.

Jurgen Klopp’s Andoni Iraola Assessment

jurgen klopp

A possible switch for Iraola to Liverpool could see the side return to the “heavy metal” pressing style that won over many fans during the Klopp era.

The legendary former manager has previously given his praise to the 43-year-old for his impact at Bournemouth, when speaking back in January 2024.

He said: “I really have time to admire what he [Andoni Iraola] is doing there. Obviously it was a very difficult start for him at Bournemouth with the manager change and all these kinds of things.

“I didn’t know a lot about him. The start of the season, obviously the results, if you don’t take a proper look at Bournemouth it can happen.

“But they turned it around, wow. That’s real coaching. He found a way to set this team up. They have a really good mix, they play football, they find direction in the right moments, they use Dom Solanke in a sensational way.

“The support he gets from the centre, from the wings. The way they defend, really good, really compact.”

Those are the kinds of comments that Liverpool fans will want to hear, especially considering the struggles that the team have faced this season.

The pressing style has been traded for controlled possession, but without the right balance that has seen the performances look a jumbled mess.

While the Reds only just got over the line in pursuit of Champions League football, a drop-off of 23 goals from the last Premier League campaign will cause some worry.

There were mitigating factors, but perhaps one of them was the manager, which could prompt the move to Iraola and a return to the sort of energy and intensity that fans want to see.

Andoni Iraola Needs Time

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola

If Iraola makes the switch to Liverpool, then one thing that is certain is that he will need time to adjust and make things work, as he needed at Bournemouth.

During his early time with the Cherries, the manager won none of his first nine games, but eventually got his players coached and used to his style. Even Antoine Semenyo, who has since left the club to join Manchester City, admitted that it took some convincing to see the direction the coach was taking them.

Speaking on the All Out Football podcast, he said: “I didn’t see it [his vision] at the start. I’ll be honest, I didn’t see it. Don’t get me wrong, when he came in, he had his way of playing and it was very new to us.

“The way he structured the weeks, we didn’t really have any days off, nothing. So like it’s very hard for a team from having one Wednesday or Sunday off to no days off…”

While that took its time to work, Bournemouth have since become an impressive unit, something Liverpool could become if the coach is given time to impress.

There may also need to be an injection of energy in the squad in the summer transfer window, all to give him the best chance of succeeding if he is named the next head coach.

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Crystal Palace To Enter Formal Talks To Sign Hayden Hackney

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Crystal Palace are pushing ahead with their transfer plans for the 2026/27 season despite being without a manager.

Oliver Glasner announced earlier in the campaign that he would be leaving the club when his contract expired this summer.

The former Eintracht Frankfurt boss went out at Selhurst Park on a high by leading the Eagles to the Europa Conference League title, 12 months on from winning the FA Cup.

Palace are now in the process of appointing their next manager with Dino Toppmoller, who was most recently in charge at Frankfurt, and RC Lens boss Pierre Sage, emerging as two key targets.

The Eagles are still getting to work with their recruitment as they wait for their new manager and Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney has emerged as a target for the London side.

Crystal Palace prepare formal move for Hayden Hackney

Hayden Hackney

That is according to the Northern Echo, who have also revealed interest from Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

Red Devils boss Michael Carrick worked with Hackney at Boro, which could give Palace’s Premier League rivals the edge in the race for the player’s signature.

However, Palace are still ‘expected’ to make a formal move for the midfielder.

Hackney, who has been described by his Middlesbrough manager as “unbelievable”, has just 12 months left on his contract at the Riverside Stadium and the north east club are likely going to have to accept a decent offer as several Premier League sides circle.

Nottingham Forest are another top-flight club with an interest in signing the player. Hackney claimed five goals and six assists in 39 Championship appearances last term and Boro will want at least £25million to sanction the player’s exit.

Crystal Palace to try convince Adam Wharton to stay

Adam Wharton

Hackney has been listed as a potential replacement for Eagles midfielder Adam Wharton.

Interest in the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder is likely to gather pace in the coming months. He has been a long-term target for the likes of Man United and Liverpool.

The Eagles are under little pressure to sell him at this stage as he still has three years remaining on his contract.

Sky Sports News reported last week that Palace would try to convince Wharton to stay at the club for one more year following their Europa Conference League triumph.

The win over Rayo Vallecano in the final in Leipzig means the Eagles have qualified for the Europa League. Palace hope the offer of playing European football will be enough for Wharton to stick around for one more season.

The 22-year-old, who won the Player of the Match in the Conference League final, still has plenty of time on his side if he opted to remain at Selhurst Park for another season.


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