Anthony Joshua is a world-renowned professional boxer who has been in the sport since 2013. He is best known for his powerful knockout punches and charismatic fighting style. Born on October 15th, 1989 in Watford, England, Joshua came from humble beginnings, with his mother working as a social worker and his father as a security guard. Over the years, he has gone on to become a heavyweight champion in both the IBF and WBA and to become a boxing legend.
Table of Contents:
1. Early Years
2. Amateur Career
3. Rise to Professional Boxer
4. World Heavyweight Champion
5. Post-Championship Life
6. Anthony Joshua Quotes
- Early Years
Anthony Joshua was born on the 15th of October 1989 in Watford, England. His mother, Yeta Odusanya, was a single parent, and Joshua was raised in Nigeria before returning to Watford in his teens. Growing up, Joshua had taken a strong liking to sports, leading him to pursue a career in boxing while completing his degree in architecture at The School of Oriental and African Studies in 2012.
- Amateur Career
Joshua debuted as a semi-professional boxer in 2009 and quickly rose to the top of the amateur ranks in the UK. He was a two-time ABA Heavyweight Champion, representing Britain at multiple levels and setting the foundation for a successful professional career. He also qualified for the 2012 London Olympics as a Super Heavyweight representing Britain, ultimately winning the gold medal after outpunching the reigning champion, Savon from Italy.
- Rise to Professional Boxer
In 2013, Joshua made the transition to professional boxing and has since become one of the top heavyweights in the world. With the backing of promoter Eddie Hearn and his Matchroom Boxing team, Joshua was constantly booked for a wide range of boxing events around the world. He scored several knockouts within the first few years of his professional career and soon became a household name in the sport of boxing.
- World Heavyweight Champion
In 2016, Joshua faced off against Charles Martin at the O2 Arena in London and made history as the first British boxer to climb the paid ranks and become a unified heavyweight champion. Joshua defended his title multiple times before finally losing his belt in a controversial bout with Andy Ruiz Jr. However, he reclaimed the titles in the rematch that took place later in the year.
- Post-Championship Life
After reclaiming his titles, Joshua went on to face a variety of top heavyweights from around the world turning in impressive performances along the way. He is currently in contract negotiations with promoter Eddie Hearn for his next fight which is highly anticipated by the boxing world.
Anthony Joshua Quotes
“Sleeping is like meditation: it’s good to rest the body but also to shut the mind down for a bit.” – Anthony Joshua
“Just set yourself a goal and try and stick to it. Because you’ll always end up better than where you started.” – Anthony Joshua
“The mental is more important than the physical. You know, that voice in your head telling you to give up if it gets tough. That’s my main opponent – making sure that if your body wants to stop, your mind won’t let you.” – Anthony Joshua
“Religion is supposed to be a positive thing when you look at the true religions around the world, not the fundamentalists. You always have to go with what your spirit tells you, not what people advise you. I’m a man that will always follow my own path.” – Anthony Joshua
“The way I meditate is by being organized. I can get real Zen if I go home and tidy the front room.” – Anthony Joshua
“Prayer is a method practiced from ancient days, so it’s very important for us to maintain a spiritual connection, something that people, gladiators would do years ago, so we’re just maintaining that routine.” – Anthony Joshua
“Cut your arms and legs off, and you’re left with a trunk, which you need to be as strong as possible. It’s easier to push over someone who is tall and skinny than someone short and stocky. That’s why we work everything from the calves to the neck.” – Anthony Joshua
“Boxing is the embodiment of who I am, but beyond that, this is a journey of the self and my obsession to get the most from this short life.” – Anthony Joshua
“There are two types of warriors: the one that rides through on his horse and tries to slay everyone, and the sniper. I try to be more like the sniper. Bang. Bang. Bang. Break them down, shot by shot.” – Anthony Joshua
“Prayer is a form of meditation, isn’t it? It’s the law of attraction: whatever you put out into the universe is what you receive. It’s just kind of putting your thoughts out into the universe.” – Anthony Joshua
“What makes a champion great is how he dethrones the guy before him. Look at Mike Tyson against Trevor Berbick and how he crushed him. You have to rip the title away from him.” – Anthony Joshua
“Cardio is a nice way to start the morning, man. Whether you sit on the bike for half an hour or throw on two jumpers and just sweat, it’s good to get up, get the body active, put on your headphones, and just pedal away.” – Anthony Joshua
“I can be the nice family man at home, and then when I go to the gym, maybe sparring with someone, I switch into beast mode. It ain’t pretty.” – Anthony Joshua
“You’re confident, you’re going to the ring to fight, but there’s always that little thing where you’re thinking, ‘God.’ You’re nervous. But you have to embrace it and enjoy it.” – Anthony Joshua
“When you are caught with a big shot, you don’t really feel it. It’s like being in a car crash, and maybe your arm has been ripped off, it is only when you look down at it that you realize it has happened.” – Anthony Joshua
“Wherever you get to is better than where you started. To stay on the road is a massive achievement.” – Anthony Joshua
“Don’t worry about the title. Worry about what you’ve got to do today, tomorrow, the next day, and that title will be waiting for you.” – Anthony Joshua
“This is boxing, not tennis. Everyone likes a bit of rivalry, it makes for a good fight.” – Anthony Joshua
“I kind of focus on my own stuff, really, and then when people come into my territory, I’ve got to fight them away, and that’s what we do every time fight night happens.” – Anthony Joshua
“I was raised well. My parents are from Nigeria; their culture is respectful. Very respectful. But I learned that you have to be determined. It’s not violence or aggression. It’s sheer determination.” – Anthony Joshua
“For me to have a cheeky little biscuit, it’s not going to hurt. But I need to control those indulgences. I can’t just be scoffing cakes and biscuits five nights a week.” – Anthony Joshua
“It’s hard to say I don’t like being famous, but how I feel is that I don’t see myself as that person. It baffles me that people would want a picture with me.” – Anthony Joshua
“From the neck up is where you win or lose the battle. It’s the art of war. You have to lock yourself in and strategize your mindset.” – Anthony Joshua
“In boxing, it is about the obsession of getting the most from yourself: wanting to dominate the world like a hungry young lion.” – Anthony Joshua
“People have built me up to be untouchable, unbeatable, invincible, and I’m not that. I am a man, and I am a winner, but that can change in a second.” – Anthony Joshua
“Sportsmen just do what they do. I’m not trying to be a role model. If there’s any inspiration people can take from me, take as much as you can – from my good and my bad.” – Anthony Joshua
“People who do the crime do it for reward. But you end up in jail – that’s no reward. Through crime, your ambitions are low.” – Anthony Joshua
“When you are around people who have money, you realize money isn’t that impressive, it’s about your class, morals, and how you conduct yourself.” – Anthony Joshua
“No matter how big and strong you are even Tyson said he was scared as hell walking to the ring. Everyone feels the pressure.” – Anthony Joshua
“The belt doesn’t represent me; it’s how you deal with people, how you represent yourself as a champion. The belt is a sign of a champion, but what makes a champion is the things I have just said.” – Anthony Joshua
“It takes a certain type of man to become a boxer, to fight for a living. To be able to have the confidence to hit another man, to control your fears. You must overcome the physical aspect and believe in the art, the discipline of the sport. You need to study. You need to be smart.” – Anthony Joshua
“I know every fight could be my last fight and if that happens, that’s not just a health issue, but I’ll be knocked off that king’s stool.” – Anthony Joshua
“You have to speak from a place where all is possible. When you speak from a place where there are limits, you’ve already set yourself up to fail.” – Anthony Joshua
“As long as you have discipline, you can be a success. Discipline is what makes you do everything you need to do.” – Anthony Joshua
“I don’t have a preferred religion – I’d have to do research. I was born a Christian, but as I’ve grown into my own man, I don’t attach myself to a religion – 100 percent, I have faith. Then it’s locking into what suits me.” – Anthony Joshua
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