Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, born October 15, 1989, in Watford, Hertfordshire, is a British professional boxer who has held the unified world heavyweight championship twice between 2017 and 2021. Known to fans worldwide simply as “AJ,” Joshua’s journey from Olympic gold medalist to two-time world champion represents one of boxing’s most compelling modern stories. His career has been marked by spectacular knockouts, devastating defeats, and remarkable comebacks that have kept him at the center of heavyweight boxing for over a decade.
- Quick Facts
- Early Life and Nigerian Roots
- The Boxing Journey Begins
- Olympic Glory and Amateur Success
- Professional Career and Championship Reign
- The Shocking Upset and Redemption
- The Usyk Challenge
- Recent Career and Resurgence
- Tragedy and Current Status
- Financial Empire
- Personal Life
- Legacy and Impact
- Interesting Facts
- What’s Next?
- Conclusion
Quick Facts
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua |
| Date of Birth | October 15, 1989 |
| Age | 36 years old |
| Nationality | British (Nigerian heritage) |
| Height | 6’6″ (198 cm) |
| Reach | 82 inches |
| Professional Record | 29 wins, 4 losses (26 KOs) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $80-150 million |
| Children | 1 son (Joseph) |
| Major Titles | Former IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO Heavyweight Champion |
Early Life and Nigerian Roots
Joshua was born to British Nigerian parents Yeta and Robert Joshua in Watford. His heritage traces back to the Yoruba people of Nigeria, where he holds aristocratic rank. Joshua spent some of his early years in Nigeria as a boarding school student at Mayflower School in Ikenne, an experience that connected him deeply to his cultural roots.
Following his parents’ divorce when he was 12, he returned to the UK halfway through Year Seven to join Kings Langley Secondary School. Growing up on the Meriden Estate in Garston, Hertfordshire, friends and teachers called him “Femi” after his middle name, Oluwafemi. He excelled at football and athletics and broke his school’s Year Nine 100m record with a time of 11.6 seconds, showcasing the raw athleticism that would later serve him in the boxing ring.
The Boxing Journey Begins
Unlike many boxing champions who start as children, Joshua began boxing in 2007, aged 18, when his cousin suggested he take it up. This late start makes his achievements even more remarkable. He trained at Finchley ABC in Barnet, North London, the same gym that produced heavyweight Derek Chisora.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the sport, Joshua’s natural talent and work ethic propelled him forward rapidly. He won the 2009 and 2010 Haringey Box Cup and won the senior ABA Championships in 2010, in only his 18th bout. When offered £50,000 to turn professional early, he declined, stating he didn’t take up boxing for money but wanted to win medals first.
Olympic Glory and Amateur Success
At the 2011 World Championships, Joshua won the super-heavyweight silver medal, and at the 2012 Olympics, he won gold representing Great Britain. His Olympic triumph in London came at the perfect moment, launching him onto the world stage in front of a home crowd. Joshua had an amateur record of 40 wins and 3 losses before turning professional.
Professional Career and Championship Reign
Joshua turned professional in 2013 and immediately made an impact. In 2014, a year after turning professional, he was named Prospect of the Year by The Ring magazine. He started his career with an unprecedented winning streak, earning the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles from 2015 to 2016.
The defining moment came in April 2017 when Joshua faced legendary Ukrainian champion Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium. His victorious fight against Klitschko was named Fight of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America. The dramatic eleventh-round stoppage in front of 90,000 fans established Joshua as boxing’s next superstar and earned him approximately $17 million.
Joshua successfully defended his unified titles against top contenders including Joseph Parker, Carlos Takam, and Alexander Povetkin, cementing his position as the heavyweight division’s dominant force.
The Shocking Upset and Redemption
In June 2019, Joshua’s aura of invincibility shattered when underdog Andy Ruiz Jr. knocked him out in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden. The loss was stunning—Joshua’s first professional defeat. However, he demonstrated remarkable mental fortitude by activating the rematch clause.
In December 2019, Joshua traveled to Saudi Arabia for the “Clash on the Dunes” rematch. He completely outboxed Ruiz Jr., winning a unanimous decision and reclaiming his WBA, IBF, and WBO titles. The rematch earned Joshua approximately $60 million, his largest single payday at the time.
The Usyk Challenge
Joshua’s second title run lasted until September 2021, when he faced Ukrainian technician Oleksandr Usyk. The smaller, more skilled former cruiserweight outpointed Joshua in London, taking his belts in a masterful performance. Their 2022 rematch in Saudi Arabia produced the same result—another unanimous decision for Usyk.
The back-to-back losses to Usyk raised questions about Joshua’s future. Could he rebuild? Would he ever reclaim world championship glory?
Controversies & Legacy" loading="lazy" width="180" height="120">Recent Career and Resurgence
Joshua answered his critics with a rebuilding campaign. He knocked down Francis Ngannou in the first round and won by second-round knockout in March 2024, earning a massive $50 million purse for defeating the former UFC heavyweight champion in devastating fashion.
On September 21, 2024, Joshua challenged Daniel Dubois for the IBF title at Wembley Stadium in his thirteenth world title fight. However, Dubois shocked the boxing world with a fifth-round knockout victory, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the heavyweight division.
Most recently, Joshua faced Jake Paul on December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, winning by sixth-round knockout in a fight broadcast globally on Netflix. While some questioned the legitimacy of fighting a YouTuber-turned-boxer, Joshua viewed it as a major platform opportunity with global reach.
Tragedy and Current Status
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Joshua was involved in a car crash in Nigeria on December 29, 2025, that tragically killed two of his close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Joshua sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment, where he remains in stable condition. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu called Joshua in the hospital to offer condolences and prayers.
Financial Empire
Anthony Joshua has a net worth estimated between $80 million and $150 million, though various sources cite different figures due to his constantly evolving earnings. He has been one of the highest-paid boxers in the world for more than a decade, repeatedly commanding eight-figure purses, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
His income streams include:
Joshua has openly discussed his financial ambitions, telling GQ magazine that being a millionaire isn’t enough—his goal is to become a billionaire, setting his sights on surpassing Floyd Mayweather’s career earnings.
Personal Life
Joshua maintains a relatively private personal life. In 2015, Joshua had a son named Joseph with dance teacher Nicole Osbourne. As of 2024, he maintains he is single, though he has been romantically linked to celebrities including models Cara Delevingne and Bella Hadid over the years, relationships he has largely denied.
Despite his wealth, Joshua famously continues to live with his mother in North London, blending cultural values with his celebrity lifestyle. This humility has endeared him to fans who appreciate his grounded approach to fame.
Legacy and Impact
Anthony Joshua has transcended boxing to become a global sports icon. His Olympic gold medal inspired a generation of British boxers, while his championship reign brought heavyweight boxing back to mainstream prominence in the UK. With 26 knockouts in 29 victories, his explosive power has made him must-see television.
Beyond the ring, Joshua has invested in Formula One’s Alpine Racing Team and built a business empire that extends far beyond boxing. His influence on social media—with 28 million followers across platforms—demonstrates his reach beyond traditional sports fans.
Interesting Facts
What’s Next?
With talks ongoing for a potential mega-fight against Tyson Fury in 2026, Joshua’s story is far from over. Whether he can reclaim world championship glory for a third time remains to be seen, but his resilience in the face of defeat has proven that counting him out is always premature.
Conclusion
Anthony Joshua’s journey embodies the unpredictable nature of boxing itself—dramatic victories, crushing defeats, and remarkable comebacks. What makes his story truly exceptional isn’t just the championship belts or the hundreds of millions earned, but the dignity with which he’s handled both triumph and adversity. As he navigates both the tragedy of recent events and the challenges ahead in his career, Joshua remains a testament to the power of perseverance, showing that true champions are defined not by never falling, but by how they rise after being knocked down.
