Former world boxing champion Amir Khan has questioned whether Anthony Joshua’s decision to reunite with trainer Ben Davison will give him a decisive advantage over Tyson Fury ahead of their scheduled December 11 heavyweight clash in Cardiff.

Joshua recently announced his return to Davison, who previously worked with Fury, as preparations continue for the highly anticipated all-British encounter at the Principality Stadium.

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The 37-year-old Joshua had parted ways with Davison following his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in 2024 before joining the team of Oleksandr Usyk.

He subsequently recorded knockout victories over Jake Paul and Kristian Prenga before making another change to his training arrangements.

Speaking to Hard Rock Bet, Khan acknowledged that Davison’s experience working with Fury could provide Joshua with useful insight into his opponent but argued that a trainer’s influence would have limitations once the fighters enter the ring.

“He knows Tyson Fury well, but still, a trainer, it is not enough,” Khan said.

“A trainer cannot tell him how to fight. You might tell him the fundamentals, that is about it, really, but a trainer really is not going to make a difference.”

Khan conceded that Joshua could benefit psychologically from having Fury’s former trainer in his corner, particularly in a contest where familiarity with an opponent’s habits could prove useful.

“Mentally, yes. It might be like a bit of a mental advantage that AJ has got over Fury, that I have got your old trainer in my corner,” he said.

However, the former champion maintained that the fight itself would ultimately test each boxer’s ability to respond under pressure rather than simply execute a pre-arranged strategy.

“But I do not think it makes a difference because when you are in that ring, everyone’s game plan changes when you get punched in the face,” Khan added.

Despite questioning the significance of Joshua’s coaching change, Khan described the proposed contest as an exciting prospect for boxing supporters, noting that both heavyweights have experienced significant careers since reaching their respective peaks.

“Both fighters, we know, are not the same fighters as they used to be, and they are half of what they were, maybe five years ago. But what a fight it is going to be,” he said.

Khan also welcomed the decision to stage the contest in Britain, saying the location would make it accessible to supporters eager to watch the two heavyweight rivals face each other.

On the potential outcome, Khan suggested Fury could have an advantage in freshness but warned that Joshua’s punching power remained a major factor.

“Maybe he is a little bit fresher. But then again, AJ has got power. Is he fresh enough to take the power that AJ still has, because power does not leave you?” he said.

Khan added that both fighters possessed the ability to hurt one another, raising the possibility of a finish before the scheduled 12 rounds.

“This is a fight where both guys can bang and they can hurt each other and it does not go 12 rounds,” he said.

The December 11 bout is expected to draw considerable attention from boxing fans, given the profiles of both British heavyweights and the long-standing interest in a showdown between them.

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While Davison’s knowledge of Fury may help Joshua prepare tactically, Khan’s comments underline the uncertainty surrounding the contest, with the fighters’ execution, resilience and ability to adapt during the fight likely to be closely scrutinised.