Anthony Joshua Biography
Anthony Joshua Biography – Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua OBE, born on October 15, 1989, is a British professional boxer. He has twice held the unified world heavyweight title, including the WBA (Super version), IBF, and WBO titles, between 2016 and 2021.
Anthony Joshua Early Life and Education
Anthony Joshua was born on October 15, 1989, in Watford, Hertfordshire, to Yeta and Robert Joshua. His mother is Nigerian, and his father has both Nigerian and Irish roots. Anthony Joshua Nigerian heritage is linked to the Yoruba people, where he holds an aristocratic rank. His cousin, Ben Ileyemi, is also a professional boxer, and they debuted together in 2013.
Anthony Joshua spent part of his childhood in Nigeria, attending Mayflower School in Ikenne as a boarding student. After his parents divorced when he was 12, he moved back to the UK, where he attended Kings Langley Secondary School. Growing up in Garston, Hertfordshire, he was called “Femi” by friends and teachers, derived from his middle name, Oluwafemi. He excelled in sports, breaking his school’s Year Nine 100-meter record with a time of 11.6 seconds.
Anthony Joshua Career
Anthony Joshua started boxing in 2007 at age 18 after his cousin encouraged him to take up the sport. He trained at Finchley ABC in North London, where heavyweight Derek Chisora also boxed. Anthony Joshua won the Haringey Box Cup in 2009 and 2010. He claimed the senior ABA Championship in 2010, and despite receiving a £50,000 offer to go professional, he declined, focusing instead on winning medals. Anthony Joshua continued his success by winning the GB Championships in 2010, which led to his selection for the GB Boxing team. He became British amateur champion the same year. By 2011, Anthony Joshua had an amateur record of 40-3 and secured a silver medal at the World Championships in Baku, qualifying him for the 2012 Olympics.
Anthony Joshua Personal Life
Anthony Joshua has a keen interest in chess and reading, which he uses to enhance his boxing strategies. Before committing to boxing, he worked as a bricklayer. In 2009, he was remanded to Reading Prison for various offenses. In 2011, he was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply, resulting in a 12-month community order and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Anthony Joshua has expressed support for Watford F.C. and is a fan of Real Madrid, especially during Cristiano Ronaldo’s time with the club. He named Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, and Evander Holyfield as his top five heavyweight boxers. In 2015, Joshua became a father to his son, Anthony Joshuah “JJ” Joshua, with Nicole Osbourne. He maintains a strong relationship with his promoter, Eddie Hearn, and in 2023, he became part of the investment group for the Alpine Formula One racing team.
