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DIRIYAH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 07: Anthony Joshua celebrates victory over Andy Ruiz Jr during the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title Fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua during the Matchroom Boxing ‘Clash on the Dunes’ show at the Diriyah Season on December 07, 2019 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210102203929/GettyImages-1192577630.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
DIRIYAH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 07: Anthony Joshua celebrates victory over Andy Ruiz Jr during the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title Fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua during the Matchroom Boxing ‘Clash on the Dunes’ show at the Diriyah Season on December 07, 2019 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury seems to be picking momentum. Over the weekend, the British heavyweight defeated Otto Wallin, securing his third win this year. While most expected the win, one pertinent fear remained regarding his trainer. Was Ben Davison the ideal choice in rebuilding his career?
This year, the 34-year-old boxer switched his trainers twice. Ahead of his Wallin fight, he partnered with Ben Davison, the former trainer for Fury. Including Wallin, many thought the change in trainers, especially Davison, given his track record, could be a risky gamble for AJ. However, after showing Wallin in the 5th round at the Day of Reckoning, AJ proved that his alliance with Davison was the right decision. Approving of this choice is celebrity trainer, Leon Wills.
Leon Wills sees Davison as an asset for Anthony Joshua
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Wills, the trainer known to have transformed the careers of KSI, Gib, and Deji gave his predictions for an AJ vs. Fury fight if it were to happen. Seeing the former as a clear winner, he wrote on his X profile, “AJ will make Fury’s face look like Jollof rice.” However, his commentary on the two heavyweights did not end there. Seeing Davison as a strength in AJ’s camp, he noted, “AJ demolishes Fury with Ben Davidson in his corner.”
AJ demolishes Fury with Ben Davidson in his corner.
AJ will make Fury’s face look like Jollof rice
— Leon Wills (@LeonWills101) December 24, 2023
Ever since AJ teamed up with Davison, folks have tried to connect the decision to Fury’s association with the trainer. With Davison in his corner, ‘Gypsy King’ defeated Wallin in 2019. However, with his graph plummeting, especially after the two Deontay Wilder fights, and how close a call the Wallin one was, Fury roped in SugarHill Steward.
While most saw the AJ-Davison partnership as a strategic decision by the fighter learning from Fury’s fight against Wallin, AJ and his promoter Eddie Hearn clarified otherwise. They explained that for a while, the former heavyweight champion was training in the US, but for a fight in Saudi, the UK seemed ideal as the camp center. To facilitate the same, it was crucial to bring in a trainer who is based out of the UK, hence, enter, Ben Davison.
When the AJ vs. Fury fight does dawn, it does seem like Davison will be in his corner. While Fury has not much to say about the fight, Hearn is pushing his best for it to happen.
Calls for AJ vs. Fury
At the post-fight press conference, Davison retorted to a question that probed if it would be awkward for an AJ-Fury fight to happen given his history with the WBC champ. He remarked, “Unnecessary question.”
But prior to this, AJ’s side was seen pushing strong for the fight. Hearn noted, “My God, give me Tyson Fury now, please. There is absolutely no way Tyson Fury beats Anthony Joshua. No way. But let’s get behind Fury to beat Usyk and let’s get that fight made. That’s the biggest fight of all time in the history of the sport.”
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DIRIYAH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 04: Eddie Hearn stands between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua during the Clash On The Dunes Press Conference at the Diriyah Season Hospitality Lounge on December 04, 2019 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Anthony too seems ready for a fight with Fury. While his Wilder clash seems to be down the drain after the latter failed to win over Joseph Parker, it is to see if Fury would be his next opponent. Tyson Fury will next fight Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed champion clash on February 17.
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Do you think the shift in trainers was a good choice by AJ? Let us know in the comments section below.
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