Lawrence Okolie recommends Anthony Joshua links up with Shane McGuigan ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch

WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie believes it would make a ‘lot of sense’ for Anthony Joshua to link up with his trainer Shane McGuigan.

Joshua is plotting a shake-up of his corner team ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk this year after being outclassed by the undefeated Ukrainian at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September.

After losing his world heavyweight titles, the former champion hit the road for a whirlwind tour of the US, working alongside a number of prospective new trainers including Ronnie Shields, Eddy Reynoso and Virgil Hunter.

Joshua was in Dubai over the festive period alongside cruiserweight king Okolie, who became a world champion under the guidance of McGuigan last year.

The Hackney fighter spent time sparring with his friend and mentor while out in the United Arab Emirates, insisting Joshua is in a ‘great mindset’ as he prepares for his second showdown against Usyk, which has been slated for April.

And while Joshua has been touring the world looking for potential new trainers, Okolie believes the answer could lie a little closer to home.

‘Would I recommend him? I would,’ Okolie told Metro.co.uk when asked about a potential link-up between Joshua and McGuigan.

‘We haven’t actually spoken about that but I would. Stylistically I think it would make a lot of sense.

‘We were just ticking over [out in Dubai], training a bit together. We did a lot of body sparring while we were out there, he’s always constantly trying to learn. He’s in great mindset, he is looking strong and he’s pushing it, that’s all that matters.’

Okolie is set to make the second defence of his WBO title against Michal Cieslak on 27 February back in London having destroyed Dilan Prasovic last time out in September.