Nigerian-born world boxing heavyweight champion, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua has found a new sparring partner from Australia to help him prepare for this month’s title defence against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, megasportsarena.com reports.
Joshua is preparing to defend his WBA, IBF and WBO titles against Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London on September 25 and the new man to help keep him in shape with ‘explosive sparing’ is a world-rated heavyweight boxer named Demsey McKean.
The unbeaten McKean, who Joshua chose because he fights with the same style and southpaw blows with Usyk, said he is happy with the opportunity to be helping ‘AJ’ prepare for the razor-sharp skills of his Ukrainian challenger.
McKean threw more light on his advent, prospects and targets when he told Sky Sports: “We first got offered to come over and join AJ’s sparring camp – probably about a month ago.
“Restrictions and the timing wasn’t great in Australia, especially for my coach. He was aiming to come over, but there was no guarantee of getting back into the country. That’s how strict it is.
“We pretty much made the decision a couple of weeks ago. Let’s get it sorted, let’s base ourselves over in the UK. There’s nothing happening in Australia.
“I’ve literally had two fights in almost two years. I’m unable to defend my titles. I can’t get any worthy opponents in Australia to defend the titles against.
“No-one is even allowed into the country to fight. I made the decision to pretty much head overseas and base myself over in the UK where the sparring is plentiful.
“He was there, met him, had a bit of a chat. A lovely bloke. We’ve got our first spar today. I’m looking forward to that. It’s going to be a good experience.
“He’s the biggest name in boxing in the world at the moment, in all weight classes, let alone heavyweight.
“To be in there and to gauge myself against the No 1 guy in the heavyweight division, that’s massive for me.
“A really good experience. It was good to be training alongside him and it’s going to be even better to trade some punches with him very shortly.
“I consider myself a technical fighter. I like to be nice and sharp. I’m quite fast and explosive for a heavyweight. Those are definitely my strengths. I like to showcase my speed.”
