Anthony Joshua is a British professional boxer and two-time former unified heavyweight world champion known for his Olympic gold medal and explosive knockout power. He gained public attention after winning the super-heavyweight gold medal for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics before becoming one of the most marketable figures in combat sports history.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua
Age: 36 (born October 15, 1989)
Nationality: British
Occupation: Professional Boxer
Known For: Two-time unified heavyweight world champion; 2012 Olympic gold medalist
Marital Status: Not confirmed
Children: Not confirmed
Early Life and Background
Joshua was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, on October 15, 1989 . He began boxing at the relatively late age of 18, taking up the sport to get in shape after his cousin suggested he try it . Within four years, he had become an Olympic champion.
Career and Achievements
Joshua turned professional in 2013 after winning gold at the London 2012 Olympics. He captured his first world title (IBF) in 2016 by knocking out Charles Martin in just two rounds. The defining moment of his career came in April 2017 at Wembley Stadium, where he climbed off the canvas to stop Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round, unifying the WBA and IBF titles in what was called a “Fight of the Decade”. He later added the WBO belt by outpointing Joseph Parker in 2018.
Joshua’s career has been characterized by resilience. After a shock knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in June 2019, he showcased a disciplined tactical style to win the rematch six months later in Saudi Arabia. While he suffered back-to-back points defeats to Oleksandr Usyk (2021–2022), Joshua reinvented himself under trainer Ben Davison, producing clinical victories over Otto Wallin and a devastating two-round demolition of Francis Ngannou in 2024.
His professional record stands at 29 wins and 4 losses, with 26 wins coming by knockout (a 78.8% KO ratio) .
Major Event or Controversy
In December 2025, Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria. He was a passenger in the vehicle and sustained injuries, while two of his close friends and coaches, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, tragically lost their lives . Joshua’s upcoming July fight will be his first since the accident .
Why He Is In the News
Joshua is in the news after announcing his return to the ring against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga on July 25, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight is a comeback bout expected to set up a long-awaited showdown with British rival Tyson Fury, which promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed is “signed, sealed, delivered” for November 2026. Fury has recently returned from retirement, defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11.
Conclusion
Anthony Joshua is a British boxing icon and two-time heavyweight world champion who has consistently overcome adversity throughout his career. As he prepares for his July comeback against Kristian Prenga, all eyes are on the potential blockbuster clash with Tyson Fury that would represent the biggest fight in modern British boxing history.
