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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 06: Anthony Joshua during the press conference for Andy Ruiz Jr. v Anthony Joshua 2 ‘Clash on the Dunes’ at the Hilton Syon Park on September 06, 2019 in London, England. Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr will have a Heavyweight World Title rematch fight on December 7th 2019 in the historical town of Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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via Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 06: Anthony Joshua during the press conference for Andy Ruiz Jr. v Anthony Joshua 2 ‘Clash on the Dunes’ at the Hilton Syon Park on September 06, 2019 in London, England. Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr will have a Heavyweight World Title rematch fight on December 7th 2019 in the historical town of Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
A robust personality of heavyweight boxing, Anthony Joshua is a household name in the sport. But, as intimidating he’s inside the ring, he’s equally modest outside it. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has vastly affected fitness centers and boxing gyms surrounding the globe. The heavyweight king has stood to the occasion to help fitness centers and grassroots of boxing.
Joshua is among the few athletes to recognize the hardships boxing gyms are going through. He believes such strains would hamper the future generation of boxing, and he just doesn’t want that to happen.
AJ chatted with iFL TV. He touched upon this concern and explained why he wants to contribute to the grassroots of this sport.
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“This is where I’m at this is grassroots boxing here in Finch ABC. I still train here, I know how difficult it is for the clubs to stay open but also be paid for the kids as well local communities that are suffering so it’s just about trying to find something that’s positive,” said Joshua.
“Boxing’s obviously the one that I represent, so hopefully it raises a few eyebrows.”
Being a big-wig of the sport, there comes a lot of responsibility and Joshua just seems to complete his part of giving back to the sport somehow.
He concluded, “Big companies that wanna help support boxing can team up with myself or the federations of England, Scotland and Wales, even Ireland and support these grassroots boxing gyms.”
Also read – Anthony Joshua Shares a Special Moment With Floyd Mayweather
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Anthony Joshua – the generous heavyweight king
Joshua is a stalwart of boxing. He remembers his own struggles to reach the pinnacle. ‘AJ’ never fails to provide a helping hand to the needy. He is one of the most charitable fighters on the planet. The aforementioned initiative is just a percent of what he does in the bigger picture.
Using his big profile to its fullest, Joshua raised £10,000 in collaboration with StubHub. He auctioned his fight gear to raise the amount which could help tackle re-offending and gang-related crime in the UK by effective rehabilitation and mentoring programs.
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via Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 06: Anthony Joshua laughs during the press conference for Andy Ruiz Jr. v Anthony Joshua 2 ‘Clash on the Dunes’ at the Hilton Syon Park on September 06, 2019 in London, England. Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr will have a Heavyweight World Title rematch fight on December 7th 2019 in the historical town of Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
In another contribution, he raised £10,000 again for Forever Hope Foundation, which pledges to build hospitals for children.
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Not just inside the ring, but Joshua is one fighter to look up to for his outside the ring activities too. He is a true ambassador of the sport.
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