OLEKSANDR USYK has drafted in one of Tyson Fury’s recent sparring partners to help him prepare for his rematch with Anthony Joshua.
The unified heavyweight champion is just a matter of weeks away from defending his titles against the Brit in a high-stakes Saudi showdown.
Oleksandr Usyk is gearing up for a high-stakes rematch with Anthony Joshua in Saudi
Usyk has drafted in Congolese clubber Martin Bakole to help prepare him for AJ
Bakole was recently in camp with WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury
Preparation has reached its peak, with heavy-duty sparring partners being brought in to give the Ukrainian plenty of looks.
And Team Usyk have enlisted the services of Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole for the final weeks of camp.
Bakole – who helped Tyson Fury prepare for his Wembley war with Dillian Whyte in April – tweeted a post-training selfie of himself and Usyk on Monday evening.
His accompanying caption read: “Enjoy sharing the ring with the best. Because I know that I’m one of them.
According to Bakole’s coach Billy Nelson, Team Usyk have been impressed with what the 18-1 heavyweight has brought to the camp during his brief stint.
The Scot told Sky Sports: “Usyk really appreciates Martin’s skills.
“He’s sparred with him over in the UK and before the first AJ fight and now they’ve asked him back in Dubai for AJ 2.
“Clearly they think very highly of him.”
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Usyk dethroned Joshua with a masterful performance in their Tottenham tussle last September, boxing his way to a unanimous decision victory.
The former undisputed cruiserweight champion has been preparing for the biggest fight of his life amid the backdrop of war in his native Ukraine.
And he plans to immediately return to his homeland after bashing Joshua.
He told talkSPORT: “As soon as I finish the fight and take care of all the other business, I will immediately travel to Ukraine.
“If I have my fight on the 20th, on the 22nd I will be in Ukraine.”
