ANTHONY JOSHUA signed Derek Chisora, an ex-amateur teammate and sparring partner - just in time to fight Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ's 258 Management has announced the acquisition Chisora. Former rival David Haye's stable was just left.
Derek Chisora photographed with Anthony Joshua, an old friend
Joshua looked up to the heavyweight veteran as he entered the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club.
He is now the boss, having added Chisora as his manager team. They will now direct his career.
Freddie Cunningham, 258 stated: "The partnership between Derek, his team and 258 was not out of the blue.
"We have been friends for over 20 years, and from the gym to the outside, we have always been connected. We have always tried to help one another whenever we could.
"We're all excited to establish a working relationship with him, work with his team, and create new opportunities."
Joshua, 31, sparred with Chisora (37), before he took his heavyweight titles from Andy Ruiz Jr., 32, in December 2019.
He could also call upon his friend to get some inside information and help with his next opponent.
Chisora, 34-year-old slippery southpaw Usyk to points, but lost in October 2020. This gave Chisora a complete insight into the Ukrainian.
This could be a tactical advantage when AJ goes to the ring to defend his unified Belts against his challenger on September 25,
Chisora is currently in negotiations to rematch Joseph Parker, the former WBO champion, whom he beat in 2018.
Parker, 29 years old, won the May fight by split-decision. Many felt, even Chisora’s greatest rival Dillian Whyte that the verdict was wrong.
This leaves the score open for a possible rematch between these two.
