Anthony Joshua Biography, Age, Net Worth And State Of Origin
Anthony Joshua Biography: Anthony Joshua Oluwafemi Olaseni (MBE) born on October 15, 1989, is a British-Nigerian boxer renowned for his exceptional talent and achievements in the world of professional boxing. With a remarkable combination of power, speed, and skill, Joshua has risen to prominence as one of the most dominant heavyweight champions of his era. He is a two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, having held the World Boxing Association (WBA) (Super version), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles twice between 2016 and 2021.
Wiki
Full Name: Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua
Date of Birth: 15 October, 1989
Place of Birth: Hertfordshire, Watford, England
Origin: Nigerian
Nationality: Nigerian, British
Profession: Boxer
Net Worth: $80 million
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Early Life and Career
Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, born on October 15, 1989, in Watford, Hertfordshire, embodies the fusion of British and Nigerian heritage, with his mother, Yeta, hailing from Nigeria, and his father, Robert Joshua, of Nigerian and Irish descent. Joshua’s lineage connects him specifically to the Yoruba people, where he holds an esteemed position of aristocratic rank. From an early age, the boxing prowess that would define his career began to emerge. Growing up on the Meriden Estate in Garston, Hertfordshire, Joshua, affectionately known as “Femi” due to his middle name, Oluwafemi, displayed exceptional athleticism, excelling in football and athletics. His journey into the world of boxing commenced at the age of 18, spurred by the encouragement of a relative.
During his formative years, Joshua’s talents blossomed, earning him accolades such as the Haringey Box Cup victories in 2009 and 2010, followed by triumph in the A.B.A. Championship in Fight 18. As an amateur, Joshua represented England at the 2011 World Championships, securing a silver medal, before attaining the pinnacle of amateur boxing success at the 2012 Olympics, where he clinched the gold for Great Britain.
Transitioning to the professional arena in 2013 under the banner of Matchroom Sport, Joshua embarked on a meteoric rise, remaining undefeated in his first 19 fights, a testament to his skill and determination. His ascent to prominence culminated in capturing the WBC International Heavyweight title at the age of 24. Subsequent victories, including claiming the Commonwealth heavyweight title by defeating Gary Cornish and clinching the IBF heavyweight title by overcoming Charles Martin, solidified his status as a dominant force in the sport.
The watershed moment in Joshua’s career arrived in April 2017, when he faced Wladimir Klitschko in a historic bout at Wembley Stadium. The epic encounter, hailed as Fight of the Year, saw Joshua emerge victorious, captivating a global audience of 90,000 spectators and further cementing his reputation as a heavyweight sensation.
Anthony Joshua was next scheduled to fight Kubrat Pulev to defend his WBA title. However, Pulev was replaced by Carlos Takam due to injuries. This caused an uproar as over 70,000 tickets were already sold. However, fans thronged the stadium on the day of fight to witness Joshua successfully defend his titlem
He next fought Joseph Parker for his highest career pay of £18 million. The fight was scheduled on 8 January 2018 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. In what was a dramatic fight, Joshua successfully claimed the WBO title. He also retained his WBA, IBF, and IBO belts.
Joshua’s journey has not been without setbacks, notably his defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, marking his first loss in the professional ranks.
In September 2021, Joshua was defeated by the former undisputed cruiserweight champion and loses the championships.
Nevertheless, he remains a formidable contender in the heavyweight division, possessing a knockout-to-win percentage of 88% with an overall knockout percentage of 58% in world heavyweight title fights.
As of October 2022, Joshua is ranked as the world’s second-best active heavyweight by BoxRec, third by The Ring and fourth by Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and ESPN, as well as the sixth-best active boxer, pound for pound, by BoxRec. He has been ranked by BoxRec as among the world’s top 10 heavyweights since 2014, and was ranked at No. 1 at the conclusion of 2016 and 2017.
Till date, Joshua is the second English 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 the first English heavyweight to do so.
Beyond the boxing ring, Joshua’s influence extends to the realms of philanthropy and marketing. Through initiatives such as the Forever Hope Foundation, he has contributed to charitable causes, including raising funds for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.
His stature as a marketing powerhouse is evidenced by endorsements from leading brands such as Under Armour, Jaguar Land Rover, and Beats.
In 2023, he finished 28th in The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes according to Forbes .
Acknowledged for his contributions to boxing and society, Joshua was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours. His impact transcends the confines of the sport, exemplifying resilience, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.
Most recently, on March 8, 2024, Joshua demonstrated his enduring prowess by delivering a resounding knockout victory over mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou in just the second round of their highly anticipated heavyweight clash. The electrifying performance showcased Joshua’s unparalleled punching power and reaffirmed his status as a two-time world champion, perpetuating his legacy as one of boxing’s most formidable figures. He reportedly earned £30m after the fight.
Social Media
Anthony Joshua has amassed over 16 million followers on Instagram (@anthonyjoshua). There he shares glimpses of his life, endorsement deals, photographs among others.
Personal Life
Anthony Joshua’s romantic entanglements have been rather private, yet the one enduring love story that has captured public attention is his relationship with Nicole Osbourne, a distinguished pole dancing instructor. Their bond traces back to their school days at Kings Langley School in Watford, where they initially crossed paths. Despite the intermittent nature of their relationship, it blossomed into something profound, culminating in the birth of their son, Joseph ‘JJ’ Joshua, in 2015.
Net Worth
Anthony Joshua’s financial prowess is a testament to his unparalleled success in the realm of professional boxing, as he commands an impressive net worth of $80 million. His strategic maneuvers inside the ring have not only solidified his status as a heavyweight champion but have also translated into substantial financial gains, placing him among the elite echelons of the sports and entertainment industry.
Summary
His journey from humble beginnings to global stardom is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and unwavering determination to succeed in the sport.