BEN DAVISON has sacrificed his body to help heal Anthony Joshua’s mind.
After losing his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles to Oleksandr Usyk and then failing in the rematch 18 months ago, the London 2012 icon was beltless, coachless and rudderless.
GettyAnthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou face off tonight[/caption]
GettyAJ has been brought back by coach Ben Davison[/caption]
Team GB guru and decade-long mentor Rob McCracken was axed.
Back-to-back 2023 wins with Dallas-based trainer Derrick James seemed to cement a new partnership for 34-year-old Joshua.
But Davison was in AJ’s corner for the December 23 obliteration of Otto Wallin — the most high-risk and convincing victory of Joshua’s busy year — and has now been given the gig full-time.
The Watford legend has swapped a 10,000-mile round trip for a pop around the corner to Harlow in Essex and is feeling the benefits while Davison happily feels the pain.
Davison, 31, said: “Physically it has been very challenging.
“He has clipped me a few times but, thank God, he has realised and softened the shot slightly.
“A couple of times I’ve not really braced myself with the body bag on and I have felt a few of them.
“Obviously he is an absolute monster, so physically it is demanding, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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Davison has built a relationship with AJ. He said: “I might not have known him for ten years but I can read the room and sense if he is in the mood for a chat or not.
“I felt I could tell when he wants a bit of space or he wants a laugh and a joke. I think I understand him.”
Davison befriended Tyson Fury when he was at his 28st nadir and lowest psychological ebb — and guided him back to greatness.
For 19 months Davison lived in the Gypsy King’s Morecambe home and whipped him into shape for a couple of warm-up wins and the iconic 2018 draw with Deontay Wilder.
If Fury and Joshua ever finally fight, Davison will look like the third man in a boxing soap opera love-hate-triangle.
He said: “I do have a tremendous amount of love and respect for Tyson and that will never change.
“And now I have a lot of love and respect for AJ.”
*Watch Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou on DAZN and Sky Sports.
ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT