Anthony Joshua, MBE (born 15 October 1989) is a British professional boxer. Joshua was born in Watford to a Nigerian mother and a British father of Nigerian and Irish descent. His cousin is fellow unbeaten professional boxer Ben lleyemi. The pair made their professional debuts together in 2013.
Joshua grew up for some of his early years in Nigeria and returned to the UK halfway through Year Seven to join Kings Langley Secondary School. Growing up on the Meriden Estate in Garston, Hertfordshire, Joshua was called 'Femi' by his friends and former teachers, due to his middle name 'Oluwafemi'. He excelled at football and athletics and broke the Year Nine 100m record with a time of 11.6 seconds.
A late starter in the sport, Joshua only began boxing in 2007, aged 18, when his cousin suggested he take it up. Joshua has expressed an interest in chess as well as reading as a way to reinforce his boxing and tactical abilities. He was a bricklayer before taking up boxing full-time.
Joshua has said that he doesn't follow any particular religion, but is interested in religion in general. In January 2017, he posted a photo of himself praying at a mosque in Dubai; the image generated significant anti-Muslim backlash against him on social media.
He is currently a unified world heavyweight champion, having held the IBF title since 2016, and the WBA (Super) and IBO titles since April 2017. He previously held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles from 2015 to 2016. As an amateur he represented Britain at the 2012 Olympics, winning a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division; he also represented England at the 2011 World Championships, winning silver. Anthony Joshua has become the unified heavyweight champion of the world by adding the WBA belt to his IBF title with an 11th-round stoppage of Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium.
CONGRATS JOSHUA.
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Edited by: Endy Edeson
Photo News Editor: Endy Edeson
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FACEBOOK COMMENTS
Manas Mwaza Zacks
dis same joshua was rejected by nigeria boxin associaton in 2012 dat he doesnt hav wat it takes to b a profesional boxer.
#IweepForNiaja
#IweepForNiaja
Endy Edeson
@Zack: Imagine ! Most BIG WIGS in Nigeria will not admit the potential of the small wigs if they are not from their CLAN. I know by now, those that rejected him will start praising him
Endy Edeson
@Olajide: That's true my brother. The spirit of Naija is the spirit of greatness.
Manas Mwaza Zacks
d then coach incharg was interviewd on friday on sport radio brila fm abuja. askin hm y did he reject joshua in 2012, his ans wer very funny. he was like i av my own boys i dont need u. as if he is d owner of nigeria,.
it was lik joshua wanted to represent him n nt nigeria
it was lik joshua wanted to represent him n nt nigeria
Olajide Crown Johnson
@Endy But how much are we making good use of those potentials? We have unmentioned numbers of our footballers, athlectics and other sport scattered around europe--- we wasted all their gift
Peter David
D guy is gud bt he need to improveon his defense n skill. Boxin isnt just throwing punches
Endy Edeson
@Manas: The key to getting to the top in a chosen career is simply believe you can make it with or without the "OWNERS" of that career. @Crown: Nepotism is a common word in Nigeria. Most Athletes who are favoured to flourish came into limelight as a result of Favouritism.
@Peter: Good observation. I hope he reads your comment
@Peter: Good observation. I hope he reads your comment