British boxer Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua Obe secured another milestone in his illustrious career by triumphing in a heavyweight world title bout at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Facing off against former MMA champion Francis Ngannou from Cameroon, 37-year-old Ngannou was knocked out by Joshua within two rounds, solidifying Joshua's dominance in the ring.
1. Journey to England
Born on October 15, 1989, in Watford, England, Anthony Joshua's heritage traces back to Nigeria, where he hails from a noble lineage. Joshua spent part of his childhood in Nigeria, attending Mayflower School in Ikenne before relocating to England at the age of 12 to join Kings Langley Secondary School. Excelling in athletics, particularly in track and field and football, Joshua's talent began to shine.
2. Career Beginnings
Joshua's boxing journey commenced in 2007 at the age of 18, following the advice of his cousin, Ben Ileyemi. Both made their professional debuts in 2012-2013. Before turning pro, Joshua achieved notable success in the amateur ranks, clinching titles such as the Haringey Box in 2009 and 2010, as well as the senior ABA Championships in 2010.
In 2011, Joshua was named Amateur Boxer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Club of Great Britain. During the 2011 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, Joshua defeated reigning world and Olympic champion Roberto Cammarelle, securing his spot in the 2012 London Olympics as a newcomer in the super heavyweight division.
At the 2012 London Olympics, despite being a novice on the international stage, Joshua claimed a silver medal. Despite facing a tough draw against Cuba's Erislandy Savón in the round of 16, Joshua impressed by defeating Beijing 2008 Olympic silver medalist Zhang Zhilei and Kazakhstan's Ivan Dychko en route to the final, where he faced defending Olympic champion Roberto Cammarelle.
3. Professional Career
On July 11, 2013, Joshua announced his professional boxing career under the Matchroom Sport promotion. His professional debut took place at London's O2 Arena on October 5, 2013, where he defeated Yoandris Salinas and Emanuele Leo with technical knockouts (TKO) in the first round.
Throughout his decade-long professional boxing career from 2013 to 2024, Joshua has amassed an impressive array of titles. According to IMDb, he is a two-time world heavyweight champion, holding the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles since December 2019.
4. World Champion
During his tenure in the professional boxing world, Joshua has held regional titles in England from 2014 to 2016. In 2014, just a year after turning professional, he was named Prospect of the Year by The Ring Magazine. His victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 was hailed as the Fight of the Year by The Ring and The Boxing Writers Association of America.
5. Anthony Joshua's Legacy
Joshua's achievements extend beyond the ring, making him the second British boxer, after James DeGale, to win an Olympic gold medal. He is currently ranked as the best active heavyweight boxer by BoxRec and third by The Ring Magazine.
From his humble beginnings in Nigeria to becoming a global boxing sensation, Anthony Joshua's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide, showcasing the power of determination, resilience, and unwavering dedication to one's craft.