It appears boxing has been revived around the world and 27-year-old Anthony Joshua of England is being given a lot of credit for the sports’ upturn in popularity. The 6-foot-6-inch former Olympic Super-Heavyweight Champion holds the IBO, IBF and WBA (Super) Heavyweight World Titles and is looking to add Deontay Wilder’s WBC version to his collection. Joshua has steamrolled over all 19 of his opponents so far with 19 Kos and just three of his opponents lasting more than six rounds.
Joshua is boxing’s pinup idol at the moment and his recent bout with former champ Vladimir Klitschko drew a post-World War II English boxing crowd of 90,000 to London’s famous Wembley Stadium. What makes Joshua so exciting to fans is his power combined with his questionable chin. If you’ve just recently started following boxing and/or Joshua’s career, here are 10 things you may not have known about the heavyweight champ.
10. Better Late Than Never
Most of the world’s top pro boxers got their feet wet at an early age with a young Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali being a prime example. However, Joshua didn’t lace up the gloves in earnest until he was well into his teens as an 18-year-old. His cousin got him interested in the sport back in 2007 at the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club and he hasn’t looked back since. He’s obviously a fast learner as just five years later Joshua beat 32-year-old Italian Roberto Cammarelle for the super-heavyweight gold medal at the Olympic Games in London. Cammarelle was the reigning Olympic champion and some critics believe Joshua received the benefit of a hometown decision. Joshua claims boxing gave him the discipline he lacked at the time and he was motivated not to be embarrassed by more experienced boxers in the ring.
http://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/415633/anthony-joshua.jpg Source: IB Times UK