Why is Ben Davison training Anthony Joshua for Otto Wallin fight?

ANTHONY JOSHUA is counting down the days until his huge Christmas cracker with Otto Wallin – and he has shockingly decided to switch his trainer.

Since being embarrassed twice by Oleksandr Usyk, AJ has gone on to secure a unanimous decision victory against Jermaine Franklin before knocking out Robert Helenius just four months later.

Reuters

Anthony Joshua has won his last two fights since switching trainers[/caption]

ANTHONY JOSHUA VS OTTO WALLIN: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF THRILLING SAUDI CLASH

And both wins came under the instructions of new trainer Derrick James who once helped Tony Bellew throw 200 punches in each round.

But Joshua has decided to switch trainers once again and SunSport can tell fans why.

Why is Ben Davison training Anthony Joshua?

Legendary boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Joshua’s choice of trainer has been switched due to travel.

Hearn believes that it will take a lot out of AJ if he travels to Texas to train with James before heading to the Middle East for the huge fight.

Speaking on Fight Hub TV, Hearn said: “It’s more about the location, I mean, six weeks out, very difficult to fly to Texas and then fly across of time zones to the Middle East.

“He’s (Joshua) been training with Ben, the last three or four weeks and Derrick James has been aware of that situation.

“It’s comfortable to train in the UK for this fight.”

Will Anthony Joshua go back to training with Derrick James after the fight?

Eddie Hearn also confirmed that AJ has NOT split with James despite switching trainers for this fight.

Richard Pelham / The Sun

And the boxing promoter highlighted that this is a good decision as Davison helped Tyson Fury to beat Wallin in 2019.

Hearn said: “They’re definitely working together moving forward, it’s not a split.

“It’s just time zones and training at home. This was the most effective and economic way to get it done.”

When is Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin?

• Anthony Joshua’s big clash with Otto Wallin will take place on Saturday, December 23.
• The fight will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Ring-walks for the main event will likely get going from 11pm GMT.