Boxing · Boxers · Today No. 1
Anthony Joshua
The Sagamu family’s son who became Olympic champion and a two-time unified world heavyweight champion.
- 30-4Pro record
- 27Knockouts
- 2012Olympic gold
- 2xWorld champion
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A Sagamu family
Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua was born on 15 October 1989 in Watford, England, to Nigerian parents, Yeta Odusanya and Robert Joshua, who both grew up in Sagamu, Ogun State. His Yoruba family traces its line to his great-grandfather, Omo-Oba Daniel Adebambo Joshua. As a boy he spent time as a boarder at Mayflower School, Ikenne, before returning to England aged 12. Friends and teachers still call him “Femi”.
Late starter, Olympic champion
Joshua only took up boxing at 18, at Finchley ABC in north London. Within five years he was Olympic super heavyweight champion at London 2012, after a world championship silver in 2011.
World heavyweight champion
He won the IBF title in 2016 and, in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley in April 2017, stopped Wladimir Klitschko to add the WBA crown; the WBO belt followed in 2018. Beaten by Andy Ruiz Jr in New York in June 2019, he regained the titles six months later in Saudi Arabia, making him a two-time unified world heavyweight champion. He lost the belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and again in 2022.
Rebuilding, and tragedy in Nigeria
After knocking out Francis Ngannou in 2024 he was stopped by Daniel Dubois at Wembley, then knocked out Jake Paul in Miami in December 2025. Days later, on 29 December 2025, he was injured in a road crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State in which two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, died. He returned on 25 July 2026 in Riyadh, surviving two knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga in the second round.
Next: Tyson Fury
On 24 September 2026 the fight Britain has waited years for was confirmed: Tyson Fury against Anthony Joshua on 11 December 2026 at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, live on Netflix.
Key fights
| Date | Fight | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Dec 2026 | Tyson Fury, Principality Stadium, Cardiff | Scheduled (Netflix) |
| 25 Jul 2026 | Kristian Prenga, Riyadh | Won, KO round 2 (down twice in round 1) |
| 19 Dec 2025 | Jake Paul, Kaseya Center, Miami | Won, KO round 6 |
| 21 Sep 2024 | Daniel Dubois, Wembley Stadium | Lost, KO round 5 |
| 8 Mar 2024 | Francis Ngannou, Riyadh | Won, KO round 2 |
| 2021 and 2022 | Oleksandr Usyk (twice) | Lost both on points; world titles lost |
| 7 Dec 2019 | Andy Ruiz Jr, Diriyah | Won on points; regained the world titles |
| 1 Jun 2019 | Andy Ruiz Jr, New York | Lost, TKO round 7 |
| 29 Apr 2017 | Wladimir Klitschko, Wembley Stadium | Won, TKO round 11 |
| 9 Apr 2016 | Charles Martin, London | Won the IBF heavyweight title |
| 2012 | London Olympics, super heavyweight | Gold medal |
More Nigerian boxing
Boxing in Nigeria
The federation, the board of control and the fighters.Read more
History of boxing in Nigeria
From Dambe to Dick Tiger, with a verified timeline.Read more
Boxing competitions
Olympic, Commonwealth and All-Africa medals.Read more
Nigerian boxing Hall of Fame
Twelve fighters who carried the green and white.Read more
Quick answers
Anthony Joshua: quick answers
Where is Anthony Joshua from in Nigeria?
His parents, Yeta Odusanya and Robert Joshua, both grew up in Sagamu, Ogun State. Joshua was born in Watford, England, and spent part of his childhood at Mayflower School in Ikenne.
What is Anthony Joshua’s record?
As of 29 September 2026, 34 professional fights: 30 wins (27 by knockout) and 4 losses.
When does Anthony Joshua fight Tyson Fury?
On 11 December 2026 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, live on Netflix.
Did Anthony Joshua win Olympic gold?
Yes, super heavyweight gold at the London 2012 Olympics for Great Britain.
What happened to Anthony Joshua in Nigeria in 2025?
On 29 December 2025 he was injured in a road crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State in which two of his close friends died. He returned to the ring in July 2026.