Britain’s Anthony Joshua 26-3 (23) has improved under trainer Ben Davison and will finish Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin 26-1 (14) inside the distance when they fight at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 23.
The 34-year-old former two-time unified heavyweight champion is not being trained by regular coach Derrick James in Texas for this bout, instead prefer to make his camp at home under the guidance of Davison.
Joshua has been dogged by criticism that he has lost his aggressive side ever since his seventh-round knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr 35-2 (22) four years ago.
Joshua exacted his revenge on Ruiz in their immediate rematch, boxing cautiously to earn a unanimous decision victory. He has gone 3-2 since then and even in his knockout wins over Kubrat Pulev 29-3 (14) and Robert Helenius 32-5 (21) he looked ponderous at times.
But former WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood 28-3 (17) says Davison’s techniques will bring the beast out of Joshua again.
“The approach he’s got with Ben, he’s like a sponge – he’s absorbing all the information,” Wood told Boxing News.
“A lot of people look at it and think, ‘He’s training with Ben, is he mad?’
“But like I’ve said, Ben [is] way ahead. I’ve said this many times, and people can quote me, because I know in ten years’ time they’ll be like: ‘Leigh Wood told us.’
“I didn’t have to tell you. Look at my fights I’ve had; I’ve been underdog time and time again, [but] I’m getting these results. Is it because I’m superhuman, or is it because I’ve got a mint team? Do the maths.
“I can see a lot of similarities between AJ and myself in the way he’s learning. He’s always asking questions and wants to know how it works. Sometimes you’re trying to learn something and it doesn’t click straight away, then it’s a good feeling when you get it.”
Wood is expecting the tweaks Davison is making to Joshua’s game will pay dividends come fight night.
“He’s on the right path and I can’t wait for his fight in December,” Wood said. “I think you will see AJ be more clear and decisive with what he’s doing in there, because I feel like he’ll know what he needs to do.
“Whereas in previous fights, he’s [seemed] a bit apprehensive. [It’s like he’s] thinking, ‘It don’t feel right,’ or half-guessing and not confident in what he’s doing but just doing it anyway.
“I know for this fight he will be clear and decisive, knowing what he needs to do and going out and doing it.
“A lot of people will say, ‘AJ’s looking more like his old self,’ and that will be because of these things he’s doing [with Davison].
“Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s an AJ knockout [against Wallin].”
