Anthony Joshua has taken the British domestic scene by storm. With a record of seven wins from his seven professional fights with all of them coming by the way of knock-out, Joshua continues to grow and it can be argued that this is Matchroom Boxing, and promoter Eddie Hearn’s greatest signing out of the crop of upcoming British fighters.
Having a relatively small amateur career fighting forty five times, he went on to make a name for himself winning the Senior ABA Championship, British amateur champion and Silver medal in the World Amateur Boxing Championships. He made his name known to the world when he captured gold in the London 2102 Olympics.
Joshua, also known as AJ, turned professional and has prospered since then. At the age of 24, his management have provided Anthony Joshua with the right fights to gain his feet and have a smooth transition from the amateur to professional boxing. With his biggest challenge to date against the experienced Denis Bakhtov (38-9, 25 Ko’s) at the O2 Arena on October 11 for the WBC International belt, a win here will progress Joshua to his next stage in his career and should enable a route to better fights. He does need opponents that will give him more ring experience and provide him with more of a test, and a fight against Bakhtov can offer this.
Joshua has been a revelation to the Heavyweight Division to date, and whilst coming off a knock out win against the veteran Matt Skelton at the Echo Arena, Liverpool in July 2014, he will look to greater height soon with the likes of Derek Chisora, David Price and Tyson Fury amongst bigger names he could face on the domestic scene. Although only seven fights into his career, AJ is still well within his learning process and will need to fight the tougher opponents to gather the rounds experience. Up to date, he has knocked out his opposition within the first and second rounds, so it will be interesting to see how his conditioning and stamina are tested when he goes past six rounds in a fight.
The most important part will be how Eddie Hearn deals with his fighter and decides to move him forward. Moving a fighter too early could result in a loss therefore denting progression and affecting the mental state of a fighters, from which some fighters struggle to recover.
So what AJ the one of most exciting heavyweights in boxing? His ring general-ship alongside his thumping power, resulting in a great knock out percentage, are traits that keep the punters excited. His physical presence in the ring is another major attribute as he stands tall at 6 ft 6” with an athletic, ripped physique that only seems all too rare in the Heavyweight division nowadays.
Boxing fans are generally attracted to the humble type of fighters, who remain ground stead throughout their inclines and declines in their career. This is still to be seen with AJ as he has still to reach the world stage, although if he was to remain procured to humbleness then the fan base prospects will only increase.
He is in a division that needs a lift and his style and presence can help the rejuvenation process. With the likes of Deontay Wilder and young prospects like Andy Ruiz Jr., one can only hope that the current crop of fighters revitalize the Heavyweight division that has been ruled by the Klitschko brothers in recent history. With Vitali retired, and Wladimir towards the end of his career, it is time for the younger fighters to compete to become the Heavyweight King.
Anthony Joshua’s motto “Stay Hungry, Stay Humble” shows everything you need to know about his personality. A humble man seen on camera yet a vicious hungry man in the ring. His next few steps will be watched by many as there could be a true great in the making. If he continues to take the division by storm as he is now, then 2015 can see the British fighter make huge steps towards a world title.
– Oun Abbas Hussain / @ouney86
– UK Correspondent for Behind the Gloves
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