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Another contender, on Saturday night, felt the heat Anthony Joshua brings to the ring and was unable to withstand it, as the champ yet again retained his heavyweight straps. Joshua defeated WBA mandatory challenger, Alexander Povetkin, in a 7-round thrilling fight that proved to be hiss toughest encounter yet. You already know him as the world champion, notwithstanding, here are a few things you may not know about him.
  • Joshua was once a bricklayer before he ventured into boxing
Before he became a boxer, Joshua earned his living on construction sites. It was his boxer cousin, Ben Ileyemi, who eventually convinced him to leave construction and take up boxing.
  • Joshua turned down £50,000 (approx. ₦23.7m) to compete in the Olympics
In his early days, Joshua had begun getting the attention of famous sports promoters who offered him £50,000 to turn pro in 2010 —  but he declined, saying, “I didn’t take up the sport for money. I want to win medals.”
  • He began boxing at age 18
Unlike many others who started out pretty early, Joshua didn’t get into boxing until he was 18. It took him five years to prove to the entire world that ‘good things take time’, when he returned from the  London 2012 Olympics with a gold medal.
  • Joshua loves Chess
Joshua is a man of tactics, and we see this every time he hits the ring. He was put onto the strategic board game by boxing legend, Lennox Lewis. Joshua likens chess to a fight — you do all you can to outsmart your opponent by being two moves ahead.
  • Joshua is Knighted
Joshua has an OBE title (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). He was knighted in 2013 by the Queen, for his service to boxing.
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This article was first published on 24th September 2018

achem

Achem Samuel is a writer and a musician, he is passionate about God and also an ardent fan of tech, sports and music.

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