OLEKSANDR USYK will be trained by Vasiliy Lomachenko’s genius dad for his fight with Anthony Joshua fight, promoter Bob Arum revealed.
Usyk, who was guided by Ukrainian boxing mastermind Anatoly during his amateur career, faces Joshua in September in London.
The former cruiserweight king has switched coaches throughout his professional career, but always had Lomachenko’s dad in his camp.
And while not always previously present in Usyk’s corner, Anatoly is now set to take the lead when they challenge for AJ’s unified titles.
Lomachenko’s promoter Arum told Sky Sports: “Let me caution you something, because even though I don’t promote him, I consider him a really good friend and that’s Oleksandr Usyk, who the reason I know him so well is he is the best friend of Vasiliy Lomachenko.
“Egis Klimas, who is the manager of both, I talk with him and he has talked with the father of Lomachenko, who he calls ‘Papa Lomachenko’ who was the trainer of all these Ukrainian Olympians and he’s agreed to properly train Usyk for this fight.
“I’m telling you, don’t think that Joshua is in a cake walk. He has a really tough fight with Usyk, who is a terrific boxer.
“His father wouldn’t train anyone else, but he will train Usyk, because Usyk is like family.”
Anatoly was part of Ukraine’s magnificent amateur set up which has produced Olympic and pro champions in Usyk and Lomachenko.
He is also credited for introducing a modern training regime, emphasising movement and footwork.
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Anatoly had his son take part in dance lesson and gymnastics as a child to help with his co-ordination in the ring.
Lomachenko has since become a three-weight champ, having left the unpaid ranks with an unprecedented 396-1 record, also twice avenging his sole loss.
The southpaw was dethroned of the lightweight belts by American Teofimo Lopez, 23, in October, only his second loss as a pro.
But after beating Masayoshi Nakatani, 32, on his return, he called for a rematch while turning his attention to supporting close friend Usyk against AJ.
Lomachenko said: “Of course I believe he can win.
“He has a very big chance but it won’t be easy because Joshua also knows what he must do in the ring.
“Joshua also knows boxing, he has also had amateur experience. It will be an interesting fight, very interesting.”
