Oleksandr Usyk recently posted a heartwarming training montage in style Rocky III, shows that he is now helping coach former opponent Anthony Joshua, and while the clip may be a nod to one of boxing’s greatest works of art, this particular remake is a truly moving story.
Fight fans have been clamoring for boxing’s only heavyweight champion, Alexander Usyk, for a video of him sparring with former champion Joshua on the beach, and not least, there’s an element of life imitating art here. In Rocky III“The Italian Manger” played by Sylvester Stallonedown on his luck after a crushing defeat at the hands of Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T) and is later trained by his former rival Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers). In the film, Creed sees that Rocky needs both physical and emotional support, and the resulting training montage shows Rocky and Apollo sprinting across the sand as Balboa comes back stronger and drops Clubber Lang in their rematch.
Why are fans comparing Usyk and Joshua to Rocky and Apollo?
When Rocky lost his title to Clubber Lang in the movie, he also had to deal with the loss of his longtime trainer Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith). More seriously, in real life, Anthony Joshua has been on a losing streak lately, both professionally and personally.
The British boxer is a two-time unification champion who was able to avenge his first title loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in short order, but the same cannot be said when he goes up against Usyk, who took the belt from AJ in 2021 and defeated him again the following year. After this second unsuccessful fight, Joshua grabbed the championship belts and threw them over the ropes. He later apologized for his misbehavior.
The emotional meaning behind Usyk’s Rocky III tribute
In late 2025, shortly after beating Jake Paul, Joshua was involved in a fatal accident that killed his personal trainer Latif Ayodele and strength coach Sina Gami. Driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode is awaiting trial on charges of dangerous driving and Joshua has understandably not boxed since. He is expected to return to the ring on July 25 against Christian Prenga, but with heavy professional defeats, including a knockout of Daniel Dubois in 2024, the great Briton Oleksandr Usyk has now become a trusted friend. In March, Joshua visited the Ukrainian champion and now it seems that this very positive bromance is going from strength to strength.
“This is not a remake of the movie,” Usyk explained along with the update Rocky III educational assembly. “This is a new story that is being created now.” Of course, with Usyk set to take on Rico Verhoeven on May 29, this new friendship that represents Rocky and Apollo’s relationship could be a mutually beneficial affair. But we have to say, we were hoping they’d go all the way and re-enact the remake of Stallone and Carl Weathers’ iconic hug!
To follow Alexander Usyk Instagram, click here.
To follow Anthony Joshua Instagram, click here.
