Anthony Joshua's Class Started Before The Fight With Act To Police

Anthony Joshua's win over Joseph Parker on Saturday night in Cardiff, to partially unify the heavyweight division, was a typically classy affair from the Brit but it all started even before the cameras were rolling.

Due to the nature of boxing very often fights are built on a rivalry that spills from outside the ring and into the press conferences and onto social media, often to boost ticket and pay-per-view sales but that is generally lacking from an Anthony Joshua fight.

For most of his still short professional career AJ has been exactly that, professional. The only time emotion got the better of him was against Dillian Whyte and that also spilled into the ring where he came closest to losing.

_{Anthony Joshua told us his reaction to links with a fight against UFC champ Stipe Miocic:}

His two highest profile fights against Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker have been fought through nothing but respect and class from both sides, a welcome change for most.

However the former Olympic champions class starts even before he gets into fight mode. Policeman Joe Henderson-Jones posted a picture on Twitter to thank Joshua for taking the time to shake every officers' hand who helped with the police escort to the Principality Stadium on Saturday night:

The fight was the first time that the 28 year old from Watford had been taken the distance with his previous longest fight being the stoppage of Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round in April last year.

Parker was also undefeated going into the fight in Cardiff and held the WBO version of the heavyweight championship. Without being spectacular the 2012 Olympic gold medalist was well worth his win, winning 118-110, 118-110, 119-109 on the judges scorecards.

Joshua and Parker embrace. Image: PA

The big task for the Brit now is whether or not he can completely unify the heavyweight division. To do that he'll have to take on, and beat, fellow undefeated champion Deontay Wilder before either man is stripped of any title or loses to someone else.

Will Joshua be able to keep it cordial if he faces the big talking American?

Topics: Joseph Parker, Boxing News, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Heavyweight division

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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