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Olympic Gold Medal To Unified Heavyweight World Champion: Anthony Joshua's Incredible Rise

Olympic Gold Medal To Unified Heavyweight World Champion: Anthony Joshua's Incredible Rise

From Olympic glory to unifying the heavyweight division.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Hailing from the modest surroundings of Meriden estate in Watford, Anthony Joshua didn't fall victim to being a product of his environment. Though the struggle he experienced climbing the proverbial ladder is a binary to the position he finds himself in now.

Joshua's troubled past, which includes several run-ins with the police, nearly derailed a professional career. But, like so many, boxing turned his life around forging a path to channel his attitude.

The noble art was the source of inspiration he needed following his wretched past despite receiving a solid upbringing from his parents.

Contrary to popular belief, boxing saves lives.

In honour of his 28th birthday, we chronicle the rise of Joshua from his days as an amateur to world glory and beyond.

2012 Olympic Games.

Joshua celebrates his gold medal with the Union Jack draped over him. Image: PA

Joshua was a late bloomer. He first laced up a pair of gloves as an 18-year-old after being dragged to the gym by his cousin. But while plying his trade at Finchley ABC Boxing Club, he soon began to bag medal after medal.

His exploits culminated in the senior ABA Championships in 2010 before reaching the peak of amateur boxing in the home Olympic games in 2012.

Prior to the summer Olympics, Joshua had received offers to turn professional but rejected their advances in bid of a podium spot. And not only did he make the podium but he claimed the gold medal.

Despite being a relative novice, the super-heavyweight Olympian reached the pinnacle of the unpaid ranks subsequently turning pro.

Turning Professional.

On the dotted line: Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua seal the deal for the Olympic champion to turn pro
On the dotted line: Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua seal the deal for the Olympic champion to turn pro

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn seals the services of Anthony Joshua with a handshake. Image: Lawrence Lustig

A year after his super-heavyweight success at the Olympics, Joshua ditched the vest and head guard for 10oz gloves becoming an attractive signing for any promotion.

While a host of promoters expressed an interest, it was Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing who ultimately acquired his services.

The unprecedented attention resulted in Joshua topping the bill on his professional bow at the iconic O2 Arena. Typically, your debut opponent will be a jobber, a journeyman or some schmuck with a losing record.

Though Joshua was squared with an 11-0 fighter but made light work, earning a stoppage in the very first round. That victory was followed up with another four before opening the Carl Froch vs. George Groves II card at Wembley Stadium.

Wembley Stadium - The First Time.

The referee signals the end of the fight after Joshua leaves his opponent crumbled on the canvas. Image: PA

It's rare to fight at Wembley Stadium, let alone twice. Unless your name is Anthony Joshua, of course. Joshua served as the curtain-raiser for the then-biggest fight on U.K soil.

After blasting Matt Legg inside 90-seconds, Joshua improved his record to 6-0 with all finishes inside the distance, continuing his impressive start to life as a pro.

Joshua shone in front of a half-full stadium which saw Froch land his defining punch of his career, landing a hellacious right-hand flush on Groves' chin. In the space of two years and 11 months, Joshua went from opening the show to being involved in the biggest fight on these shores, underlining his meteoric rise to stardom.

He's used the memories from this fight into his second appearance at the national football stadium.

IBF World Heavyweight Champion.


Team Joshua celebrate claiming the IBF world heavyweight title. Image: PA

After securing the Commonwealth title then the coveted British version, Joshua was handed a world title shot in just his 16th professional bout.

Tyson Fury's stunning upset in Germany by unseating Klitschko sent seismic shock-waves through the division. But Fury's reluctance to defend the IBF belt against his mandatory challenger resulted in his title being yanked from him.

Modest contenders fought for the vacant title with the unheralded Charles Martin claiming world honours who opted to immediately cash out by crossing the pond to face Joshua.

Though Martin was over-matched and out of his depth, succumbing to Joshua's blistering speed and power who needed just four minutes and 32-seconds to inflict the American with his first professional defeat.

It was merely a few years removed from his heroics in his home-Olympic games where he won a gold medal. Joshua became just the second British fighter to secure an Olympic gold medal and win a world title, following in the footsteps of James DeGale.

Two successful defences later, he then faced his acid test.

Wembley Stadium II - Unified Heavyweight World Champion.

Joshua adds the WBA and WBO world titles to his growing collection after defeating Klitschko. Image: PA

A 41-year-old ex-world champion stood in the way of Joshua from becoming the face of the heavyweight division.

Klitschko made his anticipated return to the ring following his upset defeat to Fury, and hoped to reclaim his world titles as he headed into the twilight of his illustrious career.

The Ukrainian was left licking his wounds for the past 18-months, and Joshua made them wounds even more gaping after sending him into retirement following their instant classic.

Joshua floored Klitschko before hitting the canvas himself for the first time in his professional career.

Though he passed his acid test with flying colours by re-grouping and eventually summoning the power to put Klitschko away in the 11th round to a raucous Wembley Stadium.

Unified heavyweight world champion. He continues to forge his legacy as he takes on Kubrat Pulev on October 28th.

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Topics: Anthony Joshua, Boxing