If you were to build the perfect looking heavyweight Anthony Joshua is an ideal model. A finely chiseled 245-pound beast, standing 6’6” who has knocked out 19 of 20 opponents. If born in America Joshua would probably be playing defensive end for a Super Bowl contender, instead, he has conquered the Boxing world and the hearts of English sports fans. Joshua already draws NFL level crowds in Great Britain, attracting 75,000, 78,000 and 90,000 fans in his last three fights, packing stadiums with fans that deliver an atmosphere unmatched by American boxing crowds.
Now, it seems Joshua is ready to conquer the American market.
More than a boxer
Joshua is a crossover star in England, in the same way, Oscar De La Hoya and Mike Tyson were in America. He is a brand advertiser as no boxer, with the exception of Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez, in the United States has achieved. Charming and gregarious, Joshua regularly makes appearances on the U.K. talk show circuit that is the equivalent to “Late Night with Stephen Colbert” or “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.” Importantly, Joshua does not carry his aura of menace from inside the ring with him into those appearances or create controversy outside the ring for that matter.
Joshua's backstory is compelling
The 28-year-old Olympic gold medalist is in his athletic prime, but started boxing late at age 18 after a cousin talked him into going to a gym because of Joshua’s fantastic athletic frame and agility.
Like others, the youngster found maturity through boxing, overcoming a rough upbringing as the child of Nigerian immigrants, that included a scrape with the law (possession of enough marijuana to merit distribution charges). In hindsight, Joshua accepts the episode as a learning experience, Joshua re-prioritized his life, “I go running on Saturday nights now, not clubbing.
I understand that if I’m to fulfill my potential, then it’s all about hard work.”
Proven in the clutch
All doubts about whether Joshua sported real power, or was a legitimate champion, were erased when he stopped longtime champion Wladimir Klitschko in a tremendously exciting heavyweight battle. Not only was the uppercut punch selection that ended the fighting genius, it also showed that the young behemoth carries fight-ending power with him into the championship rounds.
There are an effortlessness and flow to Joshua’s punches, which mirrors his relaxed manner outside the ring, that makes everything he does look easy, leaving audiences wanting more. There is no rush or urgency with the composed Englishman; instead, Joshua times his foes in an exacting manner and God help the division once he learns to anticipate what the opponent does instead of reacting to it.
The next move
After besting undefeated WBO champion Joseph Parker in his last outing, negotiations quickly started for Joshua's sixth title defense. The next opportunity an American audience will have to see Anthony Joshua looks to be in July or August, with undefeated American Jarrell Miller (20-0-1 with 18 knockouts) or Russian Alexander Povetkin (34-1 with 24 knockouts) the most likely challengers.
There are even rumors that the fight will take place at #Madison Square Garden in #New York City, which would mark the English champions first appearance outside of the United Kingdom. Of course, most want to see Joshua face fellow knockout artist Deontay Wilder (40-0 with 39 knockouts), but negotiations for that hotly anticipated showdown have hit an impasse. No matter who the opponent is, there is no doubt that the main attraction is Anthony Joshua.
