Ben Davison has been praised for the positive impact his coaching has had on Anthony Joshua. Davison, whose Boxing Performance Centre is in Harlow, has worked with a string of boxing world champions, not least Joshua’s long-time British heavyweight rival, Tyson Fury.

Harlow is an area not known for its boxing greats, although Alfie Gaskin is trying his level best to mix it at professional level right now.

Davison was Fury’s trainer when the ‘Gypsy King’ first locked horns with Deontay Wilder at the start of their legendary trilogy. He’s also trained the likes of Billy Joe Saunders, Leigh Wood, Josh Taylor and current British heavyweight champion, Fabio Wardley.

Joshua’s route to Ben Davison

Joshua teamed up with Davison after severing ties with his former trainer, Rob McCracken. Joshua’s career was on the metaphorical ropes after some questionable performances in the ring. He dabbled with the likes of Robert Garcia and Derrick James before working with Davison prior to his fight with Otto Wallin.

Although Davison only had a matter of weeks to work with Joshua in Harlow prior to the Wallin fight, AJ looked like a completely different boxer. He was light on his feet again, moving with confidence and demonstrating the kind of punch power that he was so renowned for in his earlier years.

Davison and Joshua stuck together for AJ’s recent exhibition fight with Francis Ngannou. Joshua’s explosive knockout victory over Ngannou has teed things up nicely for AJ to fight the winner of May’s undisputed world heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua recently intimated that Davison would remain his trainer, praising him for the way that he doesn’t “try to change [his] style”. Joshua has alluded to the constant tinkering and tweaks to his boxing style by other trainers which led to the string of uncertain and confused performances that threatened to ruin his legacy. Joshua likened working with Davison to “switching on a lightbulb” following his comprehensive victory over Wallin and the Ngannou win was even clearer cut.

Joshua Vs Fury: In the offing

British boxing fans will no doubt have everything crossed that Fury can overcome Usyk to tee up one of the finest British heavyweight encounters of all time. It’s no secret that there have been many Fury fights which have lived up to the hype, including his recent exhibition with Francis Ngannou, albeit for the wrong reasons. An all-British heavyweight match-up with Joshua has the potential to pip them all as the all-time classic.

Aside from the Fury Vs Joshua hype and the debate that’s raged for the best part of a decade regarding which fighter’s better, the Ben Davison undercurrent will be a fascinating side story.

Davison was one of Fury’s closest confidants when he was battling to overcome his addiction issues. In fact, it was Davison who helped him shave over 100 lbs in weight to return to the ring. Ultimately, despite the closeness of Fury and Davison’s relationship, it’s business at the end of the day and may the best man win.