World Boxing News reveals seven little-known facts about former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Joshua is one of the most well-known boxers in the United Kingdom. He held four of the major world heavyweight titles on offer twice.
Anthony Joshua facts
That doesn’t mean he does not have parts of his life that he’d rather keep away from the cameras.
Keep reading below as WBN discovers facts about the British boxing star that will surprise you, at least.
Nigerian roots
Yes, Anthony is born in the UK, and there’s no denying that. He is a 100% UK citizen and represents Great Britain worldwide with his boxing.
But very few know about his Nigerian origins. The fact that both parents are from the African country. But wait, there’s more!
Anthony even spent some time in Nigeria when he was a child. He has a tattoo on his right arm representing the geographical contour of Africa.
Anthony Joshua entered boxing late
Most athletes, especially boxers, start their path right from an early age. Childhood is a critical moment in the forming of a future champion. However, Joshua only picked up boxing when he turned 18 years old.
Another interesting fact about his path is that he turned down a £50,000 offer to go professional two years later.
He motivated his choice by saying money does not interest him. He’s all about the medals.
Order of the British Empire
Back in 2013, his merits for what was already a great boxing career were recognized.
Anthony Joshua became an Order of the British Empire for the way he represented his country in competitions.
He got deserved recognition for all his achievements in the sport.
Joe Frazier record
Joshua is the only boxer who shares a record with the legendary Joe Frazier.
Anthony and Joe became world heavyweight champions while also being reigning Olympic heavyweight champions at the time.
A historic feat even for a successful fighter like Anthony Joshua. Mainly due to Joe Frazier being one of his idols when he picked up boxing.
And since we’re in the category of the record, he shares a similar benchmark with compatriot James DeGale. They both managed to win a world title after getting the Olympic gold.
Former bad boy
In 2009, Police remanded Anthony Joshua in Reading Prison for fighting on the street.
Even though the circumstances of those events are not exact, Joshua wore an electronic device on his ankle when he got released from prison.
And just two years after, he was pulled over, only for the police to find him with eight ounces of cannabis in his car.
He got a twelve-month community order and had to turn in 100 hours of unpaid work.
Knockout specialist
In his first seventeen professional bouts, Joshua never needed more than seven rounds to finish his opponent. In his first nineteen professional fights, he scored knockouts or technical knockouts.
AJ is one of the most efficient heavyweight world champion knockout artists of modern times, second only to Deontay Wilder.
Father
In October 2016, Joseph Bayley Temiloluwa Prince Joshua was born. Anthony Joshua is a devoted father.
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