SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Anthony Joshua has revealed that former opponent Oleksandr Usyk has urged him to remain calm and avoid getting drawn into verbal exchanges ahead of his highly anticipated December 11 showdown with Tyson Fury in Cardiff.
The British-Nigerian heavyweight has been preparing for the biggest fight of his recent career, with advice from Usyk forming part of his build-up. The Ukrainian, who defeated Fury twice in 2024, understands better than most what it takes to handle the former WBC champion inside the ring.
Joshua reportedly trained with Usyk before reuniting with coach Ben Davison for his preparations, giving him an opportunity to benefit from the experience of a fighter who has already solved the Fury puzzle.
Speaking to The Ring, Joshua disclosed that Usyk’s message was straightforward: maintain composure and do not allow the back-and-forth exchanges to affect his concentration.
“Usyk has told me, ‘Keep a cool head; don’t lose yourself in the back and forth,’ and that’s fair enough,” Joshua said.
However, the former two-time world champion made it clear that he intends to trust his own judgment rather than blindly follow advice from others.
For Joshua, the challenge is not simply about having the right strategy on paper. It is about executing it when the pressure is at its highest.
He explained that studying an opponent and identifying weaknesses during training are different from making decisions in the heat of a fight.
The 36-year-old also stressed that his determination to win could require him to adapt, regardless of whether that means changing his stance or abandoning his original game plan.
“I really want to win, so I don’t care if it’s a left or a right; if I get to go southpaw, I just have to do what I have to do to get the victory,” he added.
Fury is reportedly the marginal favourite, with a WBA world title also said to be at stake. Interestingly, both fighters maintained relatively calm demeanors during their opening press conference, despite Fury’s attempts to provoke his longtime rival.
That restraint could become harder to maintain as fight week approaches, particularly given the bitter rivalry that has followed both men for more than a decade.
Beyond the sporting contest, the event is also facing a local challenge. Cardiff residents have raised objections to plans for the fighters’ ring walks to take place at 1am on December 12, a scheduling decision designed to accommodate American television audiences.
Cardiff Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee is expected to rule on the special license application on November 25.
For Joshua, however, the immediate priority remains clear: stay focused, trust his preparation, and deliver the performance needed to settle one of boxing’s biggest rivalries.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
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