Anthony Joshua's first-ever professional opponent is now living a very different life after vicious KO defeat

Anthony Joshua has been one of the best and most marketable heavyweights in boxing for several years now. And his first step towards stardom came against a fighter who is living a very different life now.

Fresh off winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, Joshua's first professional bout took place at the O2 arena in October 2013.

His opponent – an Italian heavyweight who boasted a record of eight wins and no losses – looked on paper like a stern test for the budding star, but AJ made light work of his foe, scoring a first-round TKO.

The defeated boxer, Emanuele Leo, never fought again, instead opting for an unorthodox career change.

Anthony Joshua defeats Emanuele Leo in pro debut (Getty)

"I got to know boxing when I was 23 and I had never followed it before, and to be honest, I kept not following it," Leo told Sky Sports in 2020.

"I loved practising the sport and understanding the difference between practising boxing and being a boxer.

"So when they told me about Joshua and The O2, I said yes, but in truth I was asking myself who is he? And where is it?

"I got to London and met Anthony, a really polite and gentle guy, but he had a host of professionals following him, including fitness coaches, masseurs, trainers etc.

"I didn't enjoy the financial security that would allow me to train only.

"I started boxing late and progressed very quickly, but I burned out in the last stage of my journey, as I finally understood the massive difference between boxing in Italy and in the rest of the world.

"Now I'm a steelworker and I'm in love, I feel good and I'm sure I can do better."

Joshua's last outing was a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last year. No announcement has yet been made over when the 35-year-old former world champion – whose record now stands at 28-4 – will return to the ring.

Dubois was supposed to have been back in action this past weekend, but he was forced to pull out of a scheduled fight with Anthony Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, due to illness.

Parker stopped Dubois' last-minute replacement, Martin Barkole, in the second round,