Anthony Joshua is in the punching distance of his 27th professional bout where he will try to avenge his loss to unified heavyweight champion, Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
Boxing Social takes a look at Joshua’s five decisive wins – one of which will almost certainly be demoted if he upsets the odds in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko, Wembley Stadium, April 29, 2017
When Anthony Joshua beat Charles Martin in the spring of 2016, you just knew that something special was ahead.
Yes, we had to wait almost a year (and the usual defensive games, knocking out Americans Dominic Breazeale and Eric Molina respectively), but we had an amazing sight when the Londoner is set to face longtime champion, Wladimir Klitschko.
The Ukrainian broke Joshua in the sixth round, sending a shockwave to the soles of his feet as he crawled around the canvas, which involved, (the star) struck. But then, Joshua bounced back.
He stop Klitschko with a furious attack in 11order ringand thus a boxing superstar was really born – a star with adorable holes.
Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz II, Diriyah Arena, December 7, 2019
While not the most exciting bout of Joshua’s career, there’s no doubt the challenger will drop some notches on the heavyweight ladder if he doesn’t avenge that shock loss from the summer of 2019. .
His performance against Diriyah Andy Ruiz measured, controlled, and often volatile. He displayed a discipline we never knew he possessed, and in the process he’s regained what he painfully lost on his big US debut.
Ruiz had underestimated how hungry Joshua would be that winter, and indulged in his own stomach. Without that fight, however, the Briton would not have been able to regain his place near the top of the sport.
Anthony Joshua vs Charles Martin, O2 Arena, April 19, 2016
We know, we know. Charles Martin, the self-styled Prince, didn’t have much on his first trip to London. But he’s the one AJ had to topple to become the heavyweight world champion. And boy, he did it in style.
Martin arrived wearing the Burger King crown and hoped for the best – he was quickly dispatched with some nice, crisp clean counters, and sent back to Saint Louis.
With a legitimate world title in hand, Anthony Joshua could begin to dominate the heavyweight division – if he loses to Martin, it will be “if, but, maybe…”
Anthony Joshua v Dillian Whyte, 02 Arena, December 12, 2015
The fight with Dillian Whyte was the wild card among our five.
Whyte, at the time, was rudimentary and unproven. But there was a real needle between this couple and England that stood behind their beef. They fought like amateurs, Whyte prevailed, stopping the Watford man. It was time for revenge, and through some frenzy, through a few clean, damaging punches, Joshua dominated the ensuing rounds.
While this isn’t a clear indication of his world championship potential, it is a clear indication of his popularity. That huge upper part was left Dillian Whyte pressed between two of the three strings has been replayed hundreds of times. One wonders, would they do it again?
Anthony Joshua v Roberto Cammarelle, Excel Exhibition Center, 12 August 2012
Heavy British hope – in London.
Joshua had to do everything the hard way, beating Cuba’s favorite, Erislandy Savon, beating China’s Zhilei Zhang, and beating Ivan Dychko in the semifinals. But anyway, he made it.
In the final, against Italian policeman Roberto Cammarelle, he was up against a man who had become seasoned and well-versed in the profession of amateur boxing. Fighting at the 2012 London Olympics made Joshuastreet kid accused of selling drugs, dreamer, potential.
He beat Cammarelle by countdown after identical scores in 2012, and when he won the gold medal, you got the feeling that this young man could rule the world. Cammarelle complained, the Italians complained, but the British had already mapped out the path to super stardom.
