Former two-division world champion Lawrence Okolie likes the unusual move by Anthony Joshua to spend time training with former rival Oleksandr Usyk, the current holder of the WBA, WBC and IBF titles.
Anthony Joshua’s decision to work in Oleksandr Usyk’s camp has drawn praise from Lawrence Okolie, who sees the partnership as a smart step for Joshua as he looks to reestablish himself in the heavyweight title picture. With the division still revolving around Usyk at the top, any adjustment Joshua makes now will be viewed through the lens of whether he can force his way back into another championship run.
Okolie said the collaboration makes sense, even with the history between the two men. Speaking to Seconds Out on YouTube, he said Joshua should not let his two losses to Usyk become a mental burden, and instead focus on what he can gain from sharing the ring and training environment with one of the sport’s most sophisticated technicians.
That is the real intrigue here for American fight fans as well. Joshua has long been seen as an elite athlete with fight-ending power, but his recent career has also raised questions about adaptability against high-level boxers who can disrupt his rhythm. Working alongside Usyk offers a direct look at a different boxing system, one built on angles, movement and constant tactical adjustments rather than straightforward physical dominance.
Okolie emphasized exactly that point, saying Joshua will benefit from being exposed to things he has not seen before and calling it a completely different school of boxing. For Joshua, that matters beyond simple conditioning. If he wants another shot at the top names in the division, he has to show he can evolve, not just rely on the version of himself that once overwhelmed opponents with size and explosiveness.
The stakes are obvious. If Joshua comes back sharper, more fluid and more comfortable against movement, his path to another marquee heavyweight fight gets much clearer. If not, the debate around whether he can truly return to the elite tier will only get louder.
Joshua last fought in December, when he knocked out Jake Paul. What comes next will determine whether this Usyk connection was a curiosity or the start of a meaningful second act.
