Aji Alese trains with boxer Johnny Fisher as Sunderland defender steps up rehab | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Aji Alese has been pictured working in the gym with British heavyweight Johnny Fisher as the Sunderland defender steps up his injury comeback.

The 25-year-old was ruled out for the rest of last season after a serious groin injury while on loan at Portsmouth. He suffered it soon after coming off the bench on his debut, a defeat to Preston North End, following a January switch from Sunderland.

The loan had been designed to rebuild match sharpness after an extended spell without regular football, but his return lasted only minutes before he was back on the treatment table.

There is a personal link between the pair, with Alese having been coached at local youth level by Fisher’s father, also called Johnny Fisher. The boxer, 27, has won 14 of his 15 professional bouts, 12 by knockout, and is nicknamed "The Romford Bull".

Before the groin problem, Alese had gone more than a year without a Sunderland first-team appearance due to a serious shoulder issue. He was also sidelined for an extended spell after breaking his leg in January 2025. Injuries have limited him to 46 appearances for Sunderland in all competitions across four seasons since joining from West Ham United in July 2022.

The latest update is a positive sign in his ongoing recovery. Sunderland will monitor his rehabilitation closely at the Academy of Light, with the defender still under contract as the club prepare for another demanding season involving Premier League and Europa League football.

Source: Sunderland Echo