Anthony Joshua is a transformed fighter under Ben Davison, according to Paulie Malignaggi.

AJ has linked up with new coach Ben Davison for his last two fights, and has recorded two dominant KO wins over Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou since their partnership began.

Joshua has been in red hot form since having Davison in his corner2Joshua has been in red hot form since having Davison in his cornerCredit: Mark Robinson/MatchroomThe former Olympic gold medallist had been accused of losing his trademark power and aggression in back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk and a laboured win over Jermaine Franklin in April 2023.

But former super-lightweight world champion Malignaggi believes the British charge is vastly improved since his losses to Usyk.

He said: “I’ll tell you what, AJ with Ben Davison is a bit of a different character, and there’s a different animal there with Anthony Joshua.

“I like what I’m seeing with Anthony Joshua, so I don’t know that it’s the same AJ that [Oleksandr] Usyk beat twice already. But we’ll see.”

Joshua’s first outing with the Ukrainian came under long-time coach Rob McCracken who had guided him to become a two-time world champion.

But AJ simply did not do enough in the defence of his titles in their September 2021 encounter, being dominated and losing on points.

The British star went back to the drawing board and split with his coach before seeking the help of Robert Garcia for the rematch.

And despite showing signs of improvements, he fell to a split-decision defeat in their sequel almost a year later.

Joshua blasted out Ngannou to earn his latest world title shotCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom

Joshua then took on his third-career trainer as he linked up with American Derrick James, but failed to impress in his comeback win over Franklin.

AJ then wiped out late replacement Robert Helenius four months later, but still fans weren’t sure if Joshua had enough to return to the top.

But things have made a dramatic turnaround since Davison took over in December last year, and the 35-year-old now goes into an IBF heavyweight world title shot with Daniel Dubois on September 21.

He is set to enter the contest as the favourite, and is hoping to meet the winner of Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury which is set for December 21.

It could be Joshua’s big shot at undisputed glory if he is to pick up the IBF strap at Wembley Stadium.

And Carl Froch believes that due to current form, Joshua would beat Fury if it is the all-British affair that takes place in 2025.

“I’ve always thought Fury beats Joshua,” he said, “I think he’s too fast, too light on his feet, good movement, more of a natural talent, he’s boxed from a younger age, he has that flair and ability.

“Joshua is a two time champion, Olympic champion, both lost to Usyk, but out of 24 rounds AJ didn’t win many.

“Fury also lost to Usyk but he gave him a better go. He nearly got stopped in round nine but so did Joshua.

“Looking at them now, AJ is coming off three or four wins. The fact he has momentum, he has his confidence back, he’s an athlete, he looks like a machine. He takes the sport very seriously.

“Boxing is all about timing. Fury was on the p**s last week. But the good ones, we don’t drink between the fights.

Timing-wise, Anthony Joshua will probably knock out Tyson Fury just cause of where they are in their careers. But what a great fight.”