New Anthony Joshua pictures show heavyweight champion looking lean and mean in his best condition ever ahead of Oleksandr Usyk in his next fight

Anthony Joshua is giving himself the best chance of defending his titles against Oleksandr Usyk.

The WBO, IBO, WBA (super) and IBF world heavyweight champion takes on the former undisputed cruiserweight champion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and he’s got himself in phenomenal shape.

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AJ always keeps himself in good condition, but it seems as though he has slimmed down and got leaner so he can last with the smaller man in Usyk.

Judging by these latest pictures on Instagram, Joshua has retained a size advantage but is certainly leaner. That should help his cardio without a doubt.

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The 31-year-old has always prided himself on his work in the gym and conditioning, but he seems to be working smarter as he gets older.

If Joshua can get past Usyk, all eyes will be on Tyson Fury versus Deontay Wilder on October 9.

If The Gypsy King emerges victorious from the trilogy with the Bronze Bomber, the undisputed title fight that we thought we were getting this year could be back on in 2022.

However, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren believes if Joshua and Usyk goes the distance, the Ukrainian will be the winner.

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"He proved it at cruiserweight," Warren said.

“He was fantastic, and he’s made his mark in that weight division. He was a superb cruiserweight.

“He’s done everything you could ask for. He’s come up a weight and fought Chazz Witherspoon, went seven rounds, and he fought Derek Chisora.

"So now that he’s [Usyk] is up there and comfortable, I don’t think he’s a natural heavyweight.

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“I bet you if he still needed to, he could probably still make cruiserweight. Who knows?

"But must be the favourite for the fight. He’s the bigger guy, much bigger, and he’s a bigger puncher.

“Having said that, if he [Joshua] doesn’t get rid of him, and if he’s still there after five or six rounds, then it gets to the end of the fight, if that goes 12 rounds, I would fancy Usyk to get the decision because to get there, he’s going to have to outbox him."