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Boxing

Oleksandr Usyk sparring 'future world champion' ahead of Anthony Joshua rematch

Oleksandr Usyk sparring 'future world champion' ahead of Anthony Joshua rematchMatchroom Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua are set to fight for a second time in July.

Unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is stepping up his preparations ahead of a summer rematch with Anthony Joshua.

The first fight between the two took place last September and saw Usyk triumph on points to claim Joshua's WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight titles.

Now after numerous delays, both men are in camp for the rematch and Usyk has brought in a familiar face in the form of 28-year-old Martin Bakole to help with his preparations. 

Bakole became a vital part of the Ukrainian's training before the first Joshua fight and his now held in high regard by Usyk's team. 

"I was contacted during the week regarding Martin sparring again," Bakole's trainer Billy Nelson told Sky Sports.

"I knew that was going to happen anyway because they were super happy with him on the first occasion, I think Martin gave them the best sparring he's had,

"Usyk and his team respect his skill to the extent that one of his team said Martin will become a world champion in the not too distant future."

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