Anthony Joshua’s name has been buzzing in Black pop culture. After destroying YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a recent bout in Miami, Joshua’s popularity has grown exponentially. Unfortunately, his name has also been circulating this week following his involvement in a horrific car accident on the M1 motorway in Nigeria, where his vehicle collided with another car.
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While Joshua survived the terrible crash with minor injuries, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, who were both his friends and personal trainers, and passengers in the vehicle, sadly passed away.
Though many who are die-hard fans of the “sweet science” of boxing are familiar with “AJ”, casual observers may not be aware that the 6-foot-6, 234-pound pugilist is incredibly accomplished in and outside of the ring. To bring you up to speed, here is Everything You Need To Know About Anthony Joshua.
He’s of Nigerian Descent
Born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, to Nigerian parents, Joshua spent part of his childhood at a boarding school in Nigeria before returning to the UK at age 12. He has a tattoo of the map of Africa with Nigeria highlighted on his arm and frequently makes trips back to his native land.
He Formerly Worked As A Bricklayer
Before coming to prominence as a boxer, Joshua worked as a bricklayer on various construction sites. He credited his work as a bricklayer to his discipline and work ethic.
He’s a Late Bloomer In Boxing
Unlike most champions who start young, Joshua got a late start in boxing. He did not take up boxing until he was 18 years old. His cousin Ben Ileyemi introduced him to the sport at Finchley ABC in 2007.
He’s An Olympic Gold Medalist
Joshua took home the gold medal for Great Britain in the super-heavyweight division at the 2012 London Olympics. He defeated Italy’s Roberto Cammarelle, winning on countback after a tied score. In earlier rounds, he defeated Zhang Zhilei (China) and Ivan Dychko (Kazakhstan). Interestingly, he was the final medalist for Team GB at those Games.
He Made His Professional Debut In 2012
Turning pro in 2012, Joshua quickly made a name for himself as one of the most promising fighters in all of Great Britain. In his first bout, he defeated Emanuele Leo via technical knockout (TKO) in the very first round on October 5, 2013.
He Captured His First Championship In 2016
Joshua won his first world heavyweight title on April 9, 2016. He defeated Charles Martin at the O2 Arena in London for the IBF heavyweight title. Joshua won by a second-round knockout, making him a world champion in only his 16th professional fight.
He’s Two-Time Unified Champion
As one of the premier boxers in the heavyweight division, Joshua is a two-time former unified world heavyweight champion. He unified the belts by defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2016. Joshua won the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles after besting Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019.
He’s An Avid Chess Player
When he’s not knocking dudes out in the squared circle, he is an avid chess player. He believes that playing chess helps his strategic thinking and allows him to be disciplined in the ring against his opponents.
He Received Royal Honors From the British Empire
For his services to boxing and sport, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2013 and later an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2018.
His Fight Against Jake Paul Was Seen By 33 Million Viewers Across The Globe
Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul, which took place on December 19, 2025, drew significant viewership with the backing of Netflix. According to the streaming giant, f33 million Live+1 viewers globally watched the fight from opening to closing bell. The bout reached Netflix’s Top 10 in 91 countries and ranked #1 in 45 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, Mexico, and Argentina. It also garnered 1.25 billion impressions across Netflix’s global social channels.
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