Tony Bellew is famously a big friend and fan of Anthony Joshua but has now given the name of the person he thinks is responsible for Joshua’s recent resurgence.
Joshua climbed quickly through the ranks once turning pro. The Olympic gold medallist won many of his early fights quickly and by knockout.
He picked up a first world title with a win against Charles Martin, then added further belts with victories over Joseph Parker and Wladimir Klitschko in huge nights for British boxing,.
Plenty of routine defences ensued until he was shockingly beaten by late stand in Andy Ruiz. After winning the rematch and getting back on track he came up against generational great Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022 and lost both fights over 12 rounds.
Many people worried where ‘AJ’ would go, but he has rebuilt in the last year with wins over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin, and most recently looked back to his explosive best when stopping Francis Ngannou in round two of their fight in early March.
Speaking to TalkSport, Bellew had high praise for that last showing.
“I think Joshua was absolutely fantastic against Ngannou. He went in there and he punished every mistake Ngannou made. Pressured him with the jab, the front-foot pressure was excellent, and that right hand would’ve knocked a horse out, it really would have. The boy’s an unreal specimen.”
Bellew then gave flowers to Joshua’s current trainer Ben Davison while many think activity has also been key.
“You’ve got to give an awful lot of credit to him and Ben Davison with the partnership they’re now forming. I thought it was absolutely brilliant.”
The upcoming match between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 may significantly impact Anthony Joshua’s future, potentially positioning him to face the victor.