When Anthony Joshua Hit Opponent So Hard His Headguard Flew Off

Anthony Joshua has shared footage of knocking an opponent's headguard off during his amateur career.

The world heavyweight champion has been in a reminiscent mood during lockdown and has been posted a series of throwbacks on his Instagram.

One of which is brutal knockout from when 'AJ' was coming up in the amateur ranks. Wearing the blue, Joshua demonstrates some quite outrageous power in a series of shots.

He not only putting his opponent on the canvas but also sent his headguard flying. The fighter wearing red was determined to get up and continue but with his legs all over the place, the referee simply had to wave off the bout.

Having been arrest for possession of cannabis and suspended from the team GB boxing squad a year earlier, Joshua won Gold at the 2012 Olympics on home soil.

His amateur career saw him win 40 fights and lose three - one of which was against rival Dillian Whyte.

Joshua would then correct these wrongs on the professional stage in his 15th professional fight back in 2015 when he knocked out Whyte in the seventh round courtesy of a vicious uppercut.

'AJ' had never previously been past round three in his fledgling career and this tough test set him up perfectly for world heavyweight title contention.

Now a two-time world heavyweight champion after regaining the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles from Andy Ruiz, Joshua has issued a fresh-out call out to WBC champion Tyson Fury for a unification bout.

But you might be surprised to learn that the two Brits have already done battle before, having sparred over a Rolex watch back in 2010.

Joshua told Sky Sports: "This was early on when I was an amateur and I didn't know who Tyson was. I was reading in Boxing News he was going around London gyms asking if anyone knocks him out they get to keep his Rolex."

"Me and him had a straight war. We both have heart. I didn't get to knock him out. He said afterwards 'Watch out for this kid, he will be champion of the world one day. And he got his prediction right."

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Topics: Heavyweight boxing, Boxing News, Anthony Joshua, Boxing

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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