Anthony Joshua’s journey

BOXING CHAMPS TODAY_ANTHONY JOSHUA

Anthony gives his opponent the famous right jab.

BY:REFENTSE MAKGAMATHA

 

 

Joshua is the second British boxer, after James DeGale, to win both a gold medal at the Olympics and a world title by a major professional sanctioning body, as well as being the first British heavyweight to do so. He is also the second ever boxer, after Joe Frazier, to win a world heavyweight title whilst still reigning as Olympic champion at the top weight.

Joshua only began boxing in 2007, aged 18, when his cousin suggested he take it up. His club, Finchley ABC in Barnet, North London, is also home to professional heavyweight Dereck Chisora. Joshua won the 2009 and 2010 Haringey Box Cup. Joshua won the senior ABA Championships in 2010, in only his 18th bout, and later turned down £50,000 to turn professional. It does'nt end there, the young man is a jack of all traits.

Anthony Joshua’s journey from being an Olympic Gold medalist to a world heavyweight title contender has taken just 15 professional fights, as he prepares to tackle IBF champion Charles Martin in his 16th ring outing, which could be his finest yet.The 27-year-old has enjoyed a rampant run from Olympic glory in 2012 to recently getting the British strap, and he now faces the huge prospect of earning a world title victory at this early stage of his already impressive career. History suggests Joshua is adopting the right stance. When American legend Mike Tyson beat Trevor Berbick in 1986 to secure his first world heavyweight title, fame and adulation had already spoiled him.

Joshua disposed of Martin 63 seconds faster than Tyson disposed of Berbick. Joshua won a world title 12 fights faster than Tyson. Fingers crossed Joshua's career takes far longer to unravel - and that he's not spotted driving around with a tiger in his passenger seat any time soon.

 

Like many boxers, Joshua has tricks up his sleeve to promote his matches. He wants  to carry on being naughtier than ever so that, when the time comes, he can promote his fights as good versus bad, sensible versus daft - however you want to frame it.