Anthony Joshua’s adult life, from petty criminal to amateur, Olympic gold medalist, professional kingpin, former champion and now rejuvenated contender, speaks volumes about the level of determination and dedication that is within him. During that 15-year journey, the man from Watford, England, has secured his financial future, become a crossover star and a magnet for sponsors, but there is little sign that Joshua is ready to retire.
On Saturday night, the British superstar will make his third appearance at Wembley Stadium as a much smarter boxer than the one who first stepped foot in the same venue in April 2017. At the time, despite being the IBF champion, his experience at the highest level was dwarfed by that of his opponent, Wladimir Klitschko. It was a fight and experience that we can now look back on as a defining moment, and seven-and-a-half years later he is a comparable veteran alongside the rising Daniel Dubois.
However, while boxers change and grow, certain weaknesses are nearly impossible to overcome, and venerable weaknesses can never be completely eradicated. Here, in chronological order, are the five most revealing moments from Anthony Joshua’s professional career.
Dillian Whyte measured
One of those so-called rematches had been building between Joshua and Whyte ever since the latter defeated the former in an venerable amateur bout in 2009. They met as professionals in December 2015 at London’s O2 Arena, Whyte boasting a record of 16-0 (13 KOs) and the favoured and sought-after Joshua, despite amassing an unblemished 14-0 record, had only made it past the third round once.
Joshua was determined to put on a show and seemed to be just a few punches away from stopping his opponent early on as Whyte felt the power of them in the first round. As the fight drew to a close, neither fighter held back, with blows being exchanged after the bell as both fighters’ entourages were in the ring and the fighters had to be separated.
Having abandoned plans to fight for the sake of bragging rights, Joshua opened the second round with an eye on destruction. In a haphazard and audacious attack, he was hit by a left hook, his legs bouncing and jerking beneath him. For a few moments, it looked as if Joshua was ready to fight, and although Whyte couldn’t find the punches to finish his wounded opponent, the sight of the Olympic champion staggering around the ring raised concerns about his beard that remain to this day.
In the fifth round, Joshua regained control and won with a brutal uppercut in the seventh. His vulnerability to weighty punches was obvious, but his ability to land even heavier punches saw him pass his first real test.
The Great Klitschko War
Although Joshua rose to the IBF title with a win over Charles Martin, then twice defended against Dominic Breazeale and Eric Molina, the promotion to former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko in April 2017 was significant. The sold-out Wembley Stadium was a nod to Joshua’s incredible appeal, but even those paying top dollar for ringside seats could not have expected the thriller they were about to witness.
Klitschko, who liked to play the wise venerable master in the build-up, held his own until he was knocked to the mat early in the fifth round. Joshua, showing his inexperience, roared with joy – using up valuable reserves in the process – before the uninjured Klitschko regained his balance and turned the fight on its head. By the end of the session, a visibly exhausted Joshua was under fire and on the board in the sixth round, his legs giving way after being battered by every ounce of Klitschko’s considerable power.
That Joshua not only stood up but weathered the storm was probably as telling as the events that led to his downfall. Joshua was back in the game in the ninth and was eager to finish in the 11th.t. A powerful uppercut from the Briton sparked the end, which was followed by two falls for Klitschko before the veteran was rescued on the ropes.
Joshua still remembers the hell he experienced in that unforgettable competition as a place he never wants to return to.
Andy Ruiz Jr. Rivalry
Joshua was noticeably more reserved after the Klitschko fight, stopping Carlos Takam overdue, outboxing Joseph Parker and stopping a faltering Alexander Povetkin. But no one could have predicted the impending disaster that unfolded in June 2019 at Modern York’s Madison Square Garden against Andy Ruiz Jr.
As is often the case with surprises, the clues were everywhere. Joshua seemed distracted throughout fight week, fielding questions about Deontay Wilder, appeared to be nursing a bruise under his eye and even let the unpopular Ruiz — not the most physically imposing specimen Joshua has ever met — borrow his belts for photos at the final pre-fight press conference.
Joshua scored a knockdown in round three, again lacking the required caution and attention, being knocked down twice in the same session. It all ended in the middle of the seventh round, as Joshua failed to respond to the referee’s instructions after two consecutive attempts on the mat.
In his favor, Joshua demanded an immediate return, which took place in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, six months later. The former champion, showing restraint and increased versatility, boxed perfectly to dominate Ruiz, winning a one-sided decision after 12 rounds. But the sight of Ruiz spilling his blancmange abs over his shorts as he removed his robe early on remains the most memorable sight of the night.
The Alexander Usyk Effect
When it became clear that the Tyson Fury fight would have to be shelved, Joshua decided to fill his diary with the most threatening mandatory, Oleksandr Usyk. This willingness to fight the best is a trait he deserves praise for.
The former cruiserweight king challenged Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021, and while the heavyweight champion was the favourite, it was clear early on that his plans to beat the cultured left-handed boxer were a mix of impoverished planning and overestimating his own abilities. Joshua, a clearly bigger man, had his moments, but he was on the brink of collapse in the final round, clinging to a decision that rightly went against him.
Joshua again opted for a quick follow-up to right the wrongs. That came 11 months later in Jeddah, and while the former champion put in an admirable effort, better than in London, Usyk was again the clear better fighter. After the loss on the cards, Joshua – concussed at the time – threw the belts out of the ring and gave a slurred speech as he tried to come to terms with another convincing defeat.
Restaurant work
Let’s not forget how simple it would have been for Joshua to walk away after losing twice to Usyk. But in 2023-24, Joshua, juggling various teachers, decided to go back to school. After failing to impress Jermaine Franklin in a forgotten 12-round fight, he put Robert Helenius to sleep in seven rounds and then crushed Otto Wallin in five. In March of this year, he exposed the credentials of Francis Ngannou, who had just scared Tyson Fury in a 10-round fight with sickening ease.
The venerable confidence has returned, and while his shortcomings are unlikely to disappear, it is worth noting that his incredible will to win, alongside his exceptional strength, has seen him defeat all but one of the opponents he has shared the ring with. His power remains one of the most potent weapons in the sport, and this may prove more revealing than any of the troubles he has faced.
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