MARTIN BAKOLE said that the 'big difference’ between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Uzyk was their different power.
This heavyweight contender has sparred with both AJ and Usyk, making it an expert before their unified title fight next Saturday.
Joshua has used Bakole many times, and the pair have become good friends.
However, it didn't stop him from joining Usyk’s camp to mimic AJ ahead the mandatory title challenge at Tottenham’s stadium.
Bakole, 28 years old, opened up about sparring and said that Joshua, 34, the former undisputed champion cruiserweight, had never been as tough as Bakole.
He said to iFL TV, "He's a top man, and he has good skills. He is a top performer, and everyone knows that he's the best.
"But heavyweight isn't like a cruiserweight. One punch at heavyweight can make all the difference, but he's still good.
"I sparred with him for two weeks. I don't know how he prepared for it. But he never struck me with any punch that hurt.
BETTING SPECIAL - GET JOSHUA TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6 AT 60/1 OR ANYTIME AT 25/1"Maybe he is saving it for fight, but a cruiserweight fighter is not the same weight as a heavyweight. He looks small if you look at him.
"He should gain weight because heavyweights pack a punch.
He is a good cruiserweight fighter, but I don’t believe he has as much power as AJ. AJ is more powerful than him.
"I sparred with him, but I never saw any big punches like when I sparred AJ. That's what makes the difference.
Bakole was once in a similar situation to Joshua when he faced Michael Hunter in 2018. Hunter, an American who rose from cruiserweight to heavyweight.
Hunter was able to upset Bakole by tying him out, winning round ten.
Joshua is warned to not put his eggs in one basket, with Usyk ready to go the distance.
Bakole stated: "Boxing is more than just a big punch. It's also about skill. That was a huge lesson for me.
"When I fought Michael Hunter I was looking for a big punch in order to stop him.
"After that, my coach asked, 'What were your goals for that?' I learned from him and started to work on speed as much as power.
"That's exactly what Usyk was doing at cruiserweight. Now he does it at heavyweight.
"If he had enough power, Chisora would have been knocked out." Let's wait and see what he has in store for September 25th.
"I believe he is working to go the distance. "I didn't see any way he could knock AJ out."
