Thelma Osatohanmwen
British heavyweight boxing star, Anthony Joshua has expressed his desire for his son, Joseph Joshua, known as JJ, to pursue a career outside the ring.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, the two-time former unified world heavyweight champion shared his concerns about JJ following in his footsteps into professional boxing.
Joshua, who prefers a more stable career for his son, said, “If I was to choose [a career] for him, I would ask him to probably look at accountancy because I think it’s good to understand numbers.” He emphasized the importance of JJ carving out his own future, encouraging him to “do the best you can do.”
Joshua has previously mentioned his hopes for his “little JJ” to lead a different life, aiming for him to be the “best man that he can be” rather than following the challenging path of a professional boxer.
Reflecting on his own career, Joshua revealed how boxing became a pivotal point in his life during his troubled youth. Facing numerous challenges, including run-ins with the police and homelessness at 17, Joshua found discipline and direction in boxing when he stepped into the ring at 18.
His career soared after winning gold at the London 2012 Olympics and turning professional the following year. A landmark victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 solidified his reputation as a top heavyweight.
Joshua’s initial professional record was impressive, winning all of his first 22 bouts, 21 of them by knockout.
However, his career hit a low point in 2022 when he failed to reclaim the unified WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles from Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia. The defeat was a significant emotional blow, with Joshua admitting it left him in a “dark room” for five days, unable to communicate as he sought mental healing.