It has been a year in the making.
On the 12th of August 2012, Anthony Joshua won a dramatic fight against Italian Roberto Cammarelle to win Super Heavyweight Gold at the London 2012 Olympics.
It propelled Joshua into the spotlight with many promotions ready to offer him the world and more in hope that the man mountain from Watford will make them a lot of money.
But for Joshua it’s all about becoming World Heavyweight Champion. And after much consideration he decided to sign with Matchroom Sport and will make his debut next Saturday and the 02 Arena. The 6ft 6 Brit will take on, unbeaten in eight, Emanuele Leo.
At 23 years old, Joshua obviously felt that there was nothing to be gained waiting another four years and challenging for another gold medal. Four years down the line in the pro ranks could lead him to the outskirts of World titles, or at least European titles.
After taking up the sport at just 18, when his cousin Gbenga Ileyemi, the 2011 ABA World Champion advised him too, Joshua has shot up through the Amateur ranks.
He won the 2009 and 2010 Haringey Cup, a tournament with boxers from all around the world attending. Other notable winners are Irish female Olympic champion, Katie Taylor and Chris Eubank JR.
In 2010 he won the senior ABA championships which earned him a place in the GB set up and it didn’t take him long to become the British Amateur Champion adding to his growing resume. He was then awarded Amateur Boxer of the year by boxing writers in the UK.
He later went to the World Championships for the first time and it was here he exploded onto the global stage. He beat Roberto Cammarelle, a guy we know he’d meet again, whom at the time was the reigning World and Olympic champion.
He stopped German, Erik Pfeifer, in the semi’s but in the final he lost by a single point to home boxer, Magomedrasul Majidov. Nevertheless en route to the final he secured his place at his home Olympics and the rest as they is history.
At his height and the power that Joshua can produce, expect several early knock outs in his early fights. But don’t count your chickens too early.
Audley Harrison, Britain’s last heavyweight Gold medallist, went nineteen fights unbeaten before it all went downhill and he never fulfilled his potential. Amir Kahn, a silver medallist in 2004, became World Champion before one knock-out clouded everyone’s judgement of him.
It is clear for all to see that Joshua has the physical ability to make it but he has a lot of work as any amateur has coming into the pro ranks. But if he can continue the upward curve that his career has taken thus far, then the world is his oyster.
By Huw Rawlings
Twitter: @HuwRawlings
Image supplied by Sendall via Flickr
