Joining the elite list of British boxers to win gold at the Olympic Games, Watford star Anthony Joshua counted himself lucky to do so, according to many in the sport’s industry.
Long before his illustrious heavyweight championship run in professional boxing, Anthony Joshua enjoyed major success at the super heavyweight limit on the amateur circuit.
And landing himself a spot on the Team GB squad for the homecoming Olympic Games in the summer of 2012, Joshua took on some rather notable names at that year’s tournament.
Prevailing all the way to a gold medal win, Joshua narrowly landed that elusive medal with a rather contentious win over a former opponent.
Anthony Joshua’s controversial gold medal win
En route to his final appearance, Joshua would face some rather stiff competition — particularly in his bronze medal match.
Pitted against prior silver medal winner turned heavyweight star Zhilei Zhang, Joshua turned in a victory on points, having dropped the Chinese star earlier in the bout.
But in the men’s final, Joshua met with Italian opponent Roberto Cammarelle — the reigning Olympic champion who had just fought the year prior.
Escaping with a narrow victory via a count-back on points, Joshua scored the thinnest of victories over the Italian prospect, landing Team GB a gold medal win at the super heavyweight limit.
The victory was so controversial, in fact, that the Italian team appealed the count-back loss to Joshua, in a bid which was ultimately rejected.
Anthony Joshua’s 22-fight run as an unbeaten pro
Receiving an MBE for his honors as the Summer Olympic Games in London, Joshua would turn pro just a year later — embarking on a spectacular 22-fight run before his first loss.
Revered as one of the most popular boxers in the sport during his initial rise to championship gold, Joshua rattled off notable wins over some of the most recognisable figures in the sport.
Winning his first world championship in his sixteenth fight, Joshua stopped Charles Martin with a memorable finish to clinch the IBF crown.
Failing to ever win the undisputed heavyweight crown, Joshua, however, stopped Wladimir Klitschko in a blockbuster showdown in London, clinching the WBA and IBO heavyweight belts.
Unable to entice Tyson Fury to the ring for a WBC clash, Joshua took home a decision win over Joseph Parker, however, to add the WBO title to his gleaming trophy cabinet.