Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk believes Anthony Joshua will beat Tyson Fury and has been helping him come up with a gameplan for the all-British contest.

Joshua returns to the ring on 25 July to face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and has signed a deal to fight long-term rival Fury later in the year.

The 36-year-old has been training with former opponent Usyk in recent months, spending time with the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion in Spain and Ukraine.

Undefeated Usyk, who has beaten both Joshua and Fury on two occasions, told BBC Sport: “In my opinion AJ wins against Fury.

“Fury is an unbelievable fighter and Fury is a very dangerous guy but I look how Anthony works and how he has changed.

“I like Fury, he is my greedy belly best friend, he’s an amazing fighter but I want Anthony to win – he deserves it.”

Usyk does not foresee Joshua encountering any issues against Prenga in what he calls “official sparring”, but has been advising him on how to overcome Fury.

The Ukrainian is preparing to defend his WBC title against Rico Verhoeven on 23 May in Egypt and will welcome Joshua into his camp over the next couple of weeks.

“We will help him in training,” Usyk said.

“We speak about strategy, boxing skills and psychology. We speak about fights, our fights, and I say ‘champ, come on, don’t stop’.”

Joshua’s last fight was a routine victory against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December, but he has taken some time away from the sport to recover mentally and physically after being a passenger in a fatal car crash later that month that killed two of his friends.

Usyk said he could empathise with Joshua because he has lost friends during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

“I said ‘listen, God gave you one more chance. Take this chance and don’t stop or cry. This is life, pray every day and god will help you. Whatever you need I will help,” Usyk said.

“It’s hard but I think my friends now are like angels.

“Every day I pray for these guys – this is life. I don’t know what waits for me and my team tomorrow, but I continue to work, pray and help.

“If God gives you a gift every day then appreciate it. It’s hard but you must continue to live because God gives you that.”

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has tipped Anthony Joshua to defeat Tyson Fury if the long-anticipated all-British heavyweight clash finally materialises, as talks between both camps resume after years of failed negotiations, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Ukrainian, who remains unbeaten with a record of 24 wins, including 15 knockouts, has shared the ring with both fighters, recording two victories apiece against Joshua and Fury, placing him in a unique position to assess the potential outcome of the bout.

Usyk has recently been training alongside Joshua in Spain, where the British fighter is working his way back to full fitness following a car accident in December that resulted in the deaths of two of his close friends. Joshua sustained minor injuries in the incident but has since resumed preparations.

Reflecting on Joshua’s current condition and mentality in camp, Usyk said he has been impressed by the former world champion’s work rate and believes he has the qualities required to overcome Fury.

“I believe. I look how Anthony is training. He’s a machine,” Usyk said as quoted by The Independent UK.

Usyk also called on supporters to rally behind Joshua, stressing the importance of encouragement during difficult periods in an athlete’s career. He drew parallels with his own support for his favourite football team, explaining that true fans remain loyal regardless of setbacks.

“Now I think Anthony needs help. People who support AJ, we must say: ‘Yeah, we do believe!’ Listen. I’m a fan of Dynamo Kyiv. I’m a fan a long time. Sometimes, my team loses but I not say: ‘You’re bad, you’re bad.’,” he added.

Oleksandr Usyk, the unbeaten unified heavyweight champion, has thrown his support behind Anthony Joshua to beat Tyson Fury—should the long-discussed all-British showdown finally happen. Talks between the two camps have recently resumed after years of on-again, off-again negotiations.

Usyk, who holds a perfect 24-0 record with 15 knockouts, has fought both men twice, beating Joshua on both occasions and also coming out on top against Fury. That unique experience, he believes, gives him a clear view of how a Joshua-Fury clash would unfold.

The Ukrainian has been training alongside Joshua in Spain, where the British former champion is recovering from a December car accident that tragically killed two of his close friends. Joshua escaped with minor injuries and has since returned to training.

Impressed by what he’s seen, Usyk didn’t hold back. “I believe. I look how Anthony is training. He’s a machine,” he told The Independent UK.

Usyk also urged fans to stand by Joshua, especially during tough moments. Comparing his own longtime loyalty to football club Dynamo Kyiv, he said true supporters don’t turn negative after a loss. “Sometimes my team loses, but I don’t say, ‘You’re bad.’ I say, ‘Things happen. You must work, pray.’ If we don’t help each other, we are not people. We are animals.”

On Joshua’s return to full competition, Usyk added: “I think yes, but we need a little bit of time because we know AJ has a problem with his body after the crash. But yes, he can return.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Joshua will likely take another fight before facing Fury, and plans to keep him in Usyk’s training camp for at least his next two bouts. “When he’s there and he’s focused and he’s got that purpose, I think it’s really good for him,” Hearn said.

Meanwhile, Usyk is preparing for his own high-stakes bout—a WBC heavyweight title fight against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven on May 23, set to take place in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

As Joshua vs. Fury talks drag on, Usyk’s endorsement adds fresh weight to a matchup that fans have been waiting years to see.