Exclusive: Anthony Joshua ‘training unbelievable’ for Day of Reckoning showdown with Otto Wallin

The youngster currently trains with Ben Davison who has also turned his focus on Joshua ahead of his heavyweight showdown with Otto Wallin.

The British heavyweight has already picked up two victories this year, beating both Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius.

Those wins came on the back of successive world championship defeats to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua has made no secret of his desire to reclaim the world title, and the 34-year-old will be looking to take a step closer to his goal with victory over Wallin.

Barney-Smith, who trains under Davison in the same gym, revealed Joshua is looking good ahead of his heavyweight showdown on December 23.

“I train with AJ, he’s a good fellow,” Barney-Smith told Planet Sport. “He’s a nice man, an unbelievable athlete. It’s good to watch him and learn from him.”

The youngster added: “He’s been looking good in sparring, he’s been training unbelievable. He’s a great athlete. He brings his A-game 110% every day. It’s good to witness that.”

Barney-Smith has enjoyed his own impressive rise over the last couple of years. The 19-year-old produced a near-perfect performance in his latest outing as he stopped Maicol Velazco in third round a fortnight ago.

The teenager is 8-0 since turning pro in early 2022 and remains on track to becoming the youngest British world champion.

When asked about training with Davison, he said: “He’s one of the best coaches in the world.

“Coming in every day, picking his brain and learning more. It helps me as a person and also as a fighter, getting better and better. He’s the best teacher of this sport I believe. It’s been going very well.”