AJ has even treated his first coach to new cars over the years. Anthony Joshua was present at the boxing coach’s surprise birthday celebration, which he attributes to saving his life.
At the age of 18, AJ entered the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club in an attempt to escape difficulties on the streets of London.
Anthony Joshua next to former coaches John Oliver, left, and Sean Murphy, right.
AJ posted this amazing old photo.
Additionally, Joshua won gold at the Olympics after being led to elite national titles by head trainer Sean Murphy. Over the years, the two have stayed friends, and AJ attended Murphy’s surprise party, which was hosted by Finchley ABC.
Posing with Murphy, he shared a photo from his amateur days on social media with the tagline, “Ride Or Die.” Joshua won the unified heavyweight titles as a professional and Olympic gold under Team GB coach Rob McCracken.
But when he recruited American Robert Garcia for the rematch following their September 2021 loss to Oleksandr Usyk, they broke up. In Dallas, after losing on points once more, AJ teamed up with Texan Derrick James to defeat Robert Helenius and Jermaine Franklin.
However, British coach Ben Davison has encircled Joshua for the last three fights. After being knocked out by 27-year-old Daniel Dubois in September, Joshua, 35, appears to be returning this summer.
AJ often goes back to Finchley at the start of his training camps or when he is in his off-season. Joshua has given back to the club, paying for renovations in the gym and treating mentor Murphy to new cars.
He told the BBC in 2017: “When I was younger I was partying, I was getting in trouble, I had the court cases.
“This was the time I thought, ‘What will I do with myself?’. I’d found boxing while on bail and I had the opportunity to go to Vegas to fight.
“So I told my site manager I would go to Vegas and be back in two weeks.
“He said, ‘Nah, if you’re not here someone else can take your job. You choose what you want to do’. So, I ended up going to Vegas.
“I was f*** before boxing. That was my reckless days when I was smoking. Boxing really helped me get on the straight and narrow.
“It was at my first boxing club where I learned discipline. How to forget your ego and listen to instructions if you want to achieve things.
“Sean would say, ‘Shut up, get on the bags, stop talking’. He told me to stay focused.
“These guys will always have their door open for me, no matter what. I’ll never forget who has been there when no one was.”
Joshua outside his old amateur gym in Finchley.
Joshua won the national championship at Finchley.
Murphy and Joshua remain close to this day.
Joshua often visits the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club.