Anthony Joshua is renowned as one of the biggest figures in boxing. Standing at an imposing 6’6″, he is among the tallest heavyweight titleholders, and his muscular frame only emphasizes his strength. Despite his large build, Joshua moves with remarkable agility and grace in the ring, which played a key role in his knockout victory over Francis Ngannou. To maintain this surprising nimbleness, Joshua follows a unique therapy routine.
Recently, Joshua shared a video of himself undergoing cupping therapy ahead of his bout with Daniel Dubois, sparking widespread discussion. In a recent interview, he delved into the reasons for this practice and how it has benefited him over the years.
### Anthony Joshua’s Unique Recovery Routine
Joshua dedicates a significant amount of time to training, but he equally prioritizes recovery. During his interview with Sky Sports, he was asked about the effects he hopes to gain from cupping therapy. Joshua explained that the benefits of cupping can vary for each individual. “Everyone’s gonna have a different opinion on what cupping does. But what I use it for is to stretch the fascia. I’m quite tight around my shoulder area, my trap area, my chest area,” the 34-year-old boxer stated.
He further elaborated that this therapy helps alleviate tightness in his muscles. “I now have to move my arm through certain movements. It’s like you have pulled your skin in the chest downwards, and you look up. You will feel your neck stretching, stretching all the fascia. And that’s why I do cupping, to release the areas where I’m tight.” For Joshua, this process acts like a massage, helping to release tension in specific regions, thereby improving his upper body movements.
### What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping is an ancient technique, practiced for over 1,000 years. During the procedure, heated cups are placed on specific areas of the body. As the cups cool, they create a vacuum that forces blood vessels to expand, drawing the skin upward. This process results in the characteristic red marks on the skin. Many people use cupping therapy to relieve chronic pain, but it should be performed under expert supervision to avoid potential tissue damage caused by skin expansion.
With his fight against Dubois just around the corner, Joshua aims to be in peak condition and is leaving no stone unturned. This match will also mark his return to Wembley Stadium since 2018, and he enters it on the back of four consecutive wins. The all-British heavyweight world title fight promises to be an electrifying encounter if both fighters hit their stride.
What are your thoughts on Anthony Joshua’s cupping therapy? Is he pushing the limits with the number of cups he uses? Feel free to share your reactions.
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