BY Remi Sulola
Anthony Femi Joshua, a Briton of Nigerian origin, is the new International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight champion, following his knockout victory over Charles Martin on Saturday night at the 02 Arena, London, England.
Joshua is also the WBC International and Commonwealth Heavyweight title holder, as well as the British heavyweight champion.
In 16 fights, he is still undefeated and his exemplary record states that he has either knocked out or seen off his opponents in technical knockouts since his professional debut on October 5, 2013, when he defeated Emmanuele Leo of Italy by a technical knockout in the first round.
His full name is Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, which suggests his roots are in south-western Nigeria.
Joshua was born in Watford to a Nigerian mother and a father of Nigerian and Irish descent. His cousin is fellow unbeaten professional boxer, Ben lleyemi. The pair made their professional debuts together in 2013.
Joshua grew up for much of his early years in Nigeria and returned to the UK halfway through the seventh year to join Kings Langley Secondary School. Growing up on the Meriden Estate in Garston, Hertfordshire, he was called ‘Femi’ by his friends and former teachers, due to his middle name ‘Oluwafemi’. He excelled at football and athletics and broke the Year Nine 100m record with a time of 11.6 seconds.
Joshua came to real limelight winning the London Olympic games 2012 super heavyweight Boxing Gold Medal after having won the World Championship Super heavyweight Title in 2011 in Baku.
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