Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) came out victorious both times and currently stands as the pound-for-pound king of boxing and The Ring, IBF, WBA and WBC heavyweight champion of the world.

Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs), meanwhile, is 5-3 ever since first facing Usyk, losing twice to the Ukrainian by decision and once by stoppage against Daniel Dubois. Sandwiched in between have been wins against outmatched competition.

The former two-time unified champion Joshua is looking to make one last run during a pivotal period of his life and career, as the 36-year-old recovers from a fatal car crash that killed two of his friends, Latif Adoyele and Sina Ghami, in December.

Joshua was training with Team Usyk before the incident, but the heavyweight titans have become even closer confidants in recent weeks, as AJ and Usyk have been touring Ukraine together.

“He’s not my rival, not my opponent, he’s my partner, my brother,” Usyk told The Daily Mail. "We speak every day. We are training two times [per day]. We are working on deleting mistakes.”

Usyk said Joshua is physically and mentally doing well and even called him the future king of the division.

"In 2027, Anthony [will be the] undisputed champion. Good idea. Usyk help – signed. AJ, you are the undisputed champion in 2027. It's possible … Anthony is a champion. Yes, I know Anthony doesn't have the belts, but for me it doesn't matter ... I know Anthony will become undisputed.”

With their newfound bond, it’s unfathomable that Usyk and Joshua will ever fight each other again.

Joshua’s path to becoming a world champion will become much clearer once Usyk retires.

In the meantime, they’re preparing for separate bouts, with Joshua eyeing a summer return, and Usyk set to face Rico Verhoeven on May 23.