Career Timeline of Anthony Joshua: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Anthony Joshua, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Anthony Joshua, a British/Nigerian professional boxer, is a two-time unified heavyweight champion, holding titles from 2017 to 2021. He also held the IBO title during his championship reigns. Before achieving global recognition, Joshua secured the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles from 2015 to 2016, marking his rise in the boxing world.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2007: Begins Boxing

In 2007, at the age of 18, Anthony Joshua began boxing after his cousin suggested he take up the sport.

2009: Klitschko's Lightest Weight Since 2009

At the weigh-in for the fight, Klitschko, who was 41 at the time, weighed in at 240+1⁄4 pounds (109.0 kg), marking the lightest he had weighed since 2009.

2009: Amateur Fight Against Whyte

In 2009, Anthony Joshua fought Dillian Whyte in the amateur rankings, where Whyte won.

2009: Haringey Box Cup Win

In 2009, Anthony Joshua won the Haringey Box Cup.

2010: ABA Championships and GB Boxing Team Selection

In 2010, Anthony Joshua won the senior ABA Championships in his 18th bout, turned down £50,000 to turn professional, became British amateur champion at the GB Championships, and earned a place on the GB Boxing team.

October 2011: Amateur Boxer of the Year

In October 2011, Anthony Joshua was named Amateur Boxer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Club of Great Britain.

2011: World Championships Silver Medal and Olympic Qualification

During the 2011 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, Anthony Joshua won a silver medal and secured his place at the 2012 Olympic Games in the super-heavyweight division.

2011: World Championships Silver Medal

In 2011, Anthony Joshua represented England at the World Championships, winning the super-heavyweight silver medal.

2012: Qualification to the Olympic Games

In 2012, Anthony Joshua qualified to participate to the Olympic Games in the super-heavyweight division.

2012: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2012, Anthony Joshua represented Great Britain at the Olympics, winning a gold medal.

July 2013: Turns Professional

On 11 July 2013, Anthony Joshua turned professional under the Matchroom Sport promotional banner.

October 2013: Professional Debut

On 5 October 2013, Anthony Joshua made his professional debut at the O2 Arena in London, defeating Emanuele Leo by TKO in the first round.

November 2013: Third Professional Fight

On 14 November 2013, Anthony Joshua achieved his third consecutive knockout victory against Hrvoje Kišiček.

2013: Professional Debut with Cousin

In 2013, Anthony Joshua and his cousin, Ben Ileyemi, both made their professional boxing debuts.

February 2014: Fourth Professional Victory

In February 2014, Anthony Joshua scored a second-round TKO victory over Dorian Darch, bringing his record to 4-0.

July 2014: Seventh Professional Fight Victory

On 12 July 2014, Anthony Joshua defeated Matt Skelton via second-round stoppage at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, marking his seventh professional victory.

September 2014: Joshua to fight in Manchester for the First Time Since September 2014

In September 2014, it was announced that Anthony Joshua would fight in Manchester for the first time since September 2014, making a second defense of his IBF title at the Manchester Arena on 26 November. Possible names put forward for the fight were top IBF contenders Kubrat Pulev and Joseph Parker.

September 2014: Eighth Professional Fight Victory

On 13 September 2014, Anthony Joshua secured his eighth undefeated win against Konstantin Airich at the Manchester Arena with a third-round stoppage, taking his record to 8-0.

October 2014: WBC International Heavyweight Title Win

On 11 October 2014, Anthony Joshua won the vacant WBC International heavyweight title against Dennis Bakhtov at The O2 Arena in London, taking his record to 9-0.

November 2014: Tenth Professional Win

On 22 November 2014, Anthony Joshua defeated Michael Sprott in the first round to extend his record to ten wins, all by stoppage.

2014: Joshua's Lightest Since 2014

In 2014, Joshua weighed 242.2 pounds (109.9 kg), his lightest since 2014 when he fought Michael Sprott.

January 2015: Bout Cancellation Due to Injury

In January 2015, Anthony Joshua's scheduled fight against Kevin Johnson was cancelled due to a back injury.

April 2015: Return to the Ring

On 4 April 2015, Anthony Joshua returned to the ring after a back injury, defeating Jason Gavern with a third-round KO in Newcastle.

May 2015: Victories Over Love and Johnson

In May 2015, Anthony Joshua defeated Raphael Zumbano Love and Kevin Johnson, marking the first stoppage in Johnson's career.

July 2015: Fight Announcement Against Gary Cornish

On 16 July 2015, it was announced that Anthony Joshua would fight Gary Cornish for the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title.

December 2015: Victory over Dillian Whyte and New Deal with Matchroom

In December 2015, Anthony Joshua defeated Dillian Whyte for the vacant British heavyweight title and defended his Commonwealth heavyweight title. He also signed a new five-year deal with Matchroom Sport, earning £3 million for the fight.

2015: British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Titles

From 2015, Anthony Joshua held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles.

January 2016: Martin Wins IBF Title

In January 2016, Charles Martin won the IBF heavyweight title after defeating Vyacheslav Glazkov.

February 2016: Fight Announcement vs Charles Martin

In February 2016, it was announced that Anthony Joshua would face IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin on April 9, 2016.

April 2016: IBF Heavyweight Title Win

On 9 April 2016, Anthony Joshua defeated Charles Martin by TKO to win the IBF heavyweight title.

June 2016: Joshua vs. Breazeale at the O2 Arena

In June 2016, Anthony Joshua fought Dominic Breazeale at the O2 Arena in London, successfully defending his IBF heavyweight title with a seventh-round knockout. Breazeale became only the second boxer, after Dillian Whyte, to take Joshua past three rounds. The fight averaged 289,000 viewers on Showtime in the afternoon.

November 2016: WBA Sanctions Joshua vs. Klitschko Unification Bout

In November 2016, the WBA agreed to sanction a unification bout between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for the vacant WBA (Super) title, previously held by Tyson Fury. The agreement stipulated that if Joshua retained his belt against Eric Molina, the fight would take place on April 29, 2017, at Wembley Stadium in London.

2016: End of British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Titles Reign

By 2016, Anthony Joshua's reign as holder of the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles ended.

2016: Parker's Lightest Since 2016

In 2016, Joseph Parker weighed in at 236.7 pounds (107.4 kg), his lightest since he fought Solomon Haumono in 2016.

January 2017: Tickets Sold for Joshua vs. Klitschko

In January 2017, Eddie Hearn announced that over 80,000 tickets had been sold for the Joshua vs. Klitschko fight, setting a new box office record. Joshua was expected to earn around £15 million for the fight.

April 2017: Joshua vs. Klitschko Fight Date

In April 2017, it was agreed that the fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko would take place on April 29, 2017, at Wembley Stadium in London. This was contingent on Joshua retaining his belt against Eric Molina in November 2016.

June 2017: IBF Grants Joshua Exemption for Klitschko Rematch

In June 2017, the IBF granted Anthony Joshua an exemption to rematch Wladimir Klitschko instead of fighting mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev. Klitschko needed time to consider before agreeing to the rematch.

August 2017: Klitschko Retires, Ending Rematch Possibility

In August 2017, Wladimir Klitschko announced his retirement from boxing, ending the possibility of a rematch with Anthony Joshua, despite the IBF granting an exemption for the fight to occur.

August 2017: Klitschko Retires and IBF Orders Joshua vs. Pulev

In August 2017, Wladimir Klitschko retired from boxing. Following this, on August 4, the IBF immediately ordered Anthony Joshua to fight Kubrat Pulev next, with a deal needing to be reached by September 3, 2017.

September 2017: Deadline for Joshua and Pulev Deal

In September 2017, it was reported that a deal needed to be reached by September 3 between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev for their upcoming fight, as ordered by the IBF following Klitschko's retirement in August.

October 2017: Joshua and Pulev Potential Fight Date and Host

In October 2017, details between the camps of Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev were being discussed and close to being finalised for the date of October 28, 2017, with Las Vegas as the potential host.

December 2017: IBF Sets Deadline for Joshua vs. Pulev

In December 2017, the IBF explained that the Joshua-Klitschko rematch must take place no later than December 2, 2017, and the winner would have to fight Kubrat Pulev next without exemptions.

2017: Unified Heavyweight Championship

In 2017, Anthony Joshua held the unified heavyweight championship.

2017: Fight of the Year Award

In 2017, Anthony Joshua's victorious fight against Wladimir Klitschko was named Fight of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America.

January 2018: Venue Confirmed for Joshua vs. Parker

On January 8, 2018, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff was confirmed as the venue for the fight between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker.

March 2018: March 2018 Date Discussed with Joshua's Team

In March 2018, Joseph Parker's team was looking at Lucas Browne as a potential match-up if they failed to land a unification fight with Joshua. According to Higgins, a date in March 2018 was being discussed with Joshua's team, however Eddie Hearn offered an 80–20 split, which would favor Joshua.

April 2018: Parker to Earn Between 30 and 35% of the Purse

In April 2018, it was announced that a split had been agreed which would see Joseph Parker earn between 30 and 35% of the purse and the fight should take place in April 2018. A rematch clause would be in place for Joshua, should he lose. In a potential rematch, Parker would get a 55% split.

June 2018: Joshua-Wilder fight negotiations and Povetkin deal

In June 2018, negotiations between Joshua and Wilder's camps were ongoing regarding a super fight, with purse split, date, and venue as the main obstacles. Simultaneously, Eddie Hearn worked on a deal for Joshua to fight WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin after the WBA gave Joshua's camp 24 hours to finalize a deal with Povetkin on June 26th, 2018.

September 2018: Joshua to fight in April 2019

According to Whyte, Joshua knew since September 2018 that he would be fighting in April 2019, yet he did not make any offers.

September 2018: Joshua vs. Povetkin fight announcement

In September 2018, specifically on the 22nd, Wembley Stadium in London was announced as the venue for Joshua's fight against Alexander Povetkin for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles, to be broadcasted on Sky Box Office. Concerns were raised by British pundits and trainers regarding the threat posed by Povetkin to Joshua.

December 2018: Whyte frontrunner to challenge Joshua

In December 2018, Dillian Whyte was the frontrunner to challenge Joshua with Joshua's Wembley date on hold. Whyte also heard rumours Joshua would drop the Wembley date.

2018: Joshua Spoke About Potential Fights in 2018

In 2018, after the fight against Takam, Hearn and Joshua spoke about potential fights in 2018, which included fights with Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder, where a win against both would see Joshua the undisputed champion and an all-English clash against Tyson Fury.

January 2019: Whyte turns down offer from Joshua

In January 2019, Dillian Whyte turned down a low offer from Joshua for a rematch, an offer lower than what he received against Chisora in December 2018.

April 2019: Joshua fight at Wembley becoming unlikely

In April 2019, it became highly unlikely that Joshua would still fight at Wembley Stadium on April 13. Whyte also claimed the Joshua fight was dead.

April 2019: Miller tests positive for banned substance

In April 2019, on the 17th, it was confirmed that Jarrell Miller tested positive for the banned substance GW1516 from a VADA-conducted urine test on March 20. Further tests on March 31 proved positive for EPO, HGH, and GW1516 again.

April 2019: Wembley Stadium to host Joshua's fights

Wembley Stadium in London was announced to host Joshua's fights on 22 September 2018 and again on 13 April 2019. In April 2019, Joshua's fights were supposed to take place at Wembley Stadium.

June 2019: Joshua vs. Ruiz fight announced

In June 2019, specifically on June 1st, Joshua fought Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden in New York City, exclusively on DAZN in the US, after Ruiz replaced Miller. Joshua lost to Ruiz by TKO in the seventh round, losing his heavyweight titles.

December 2019: Joshua reclaims heavyweight titles in rematch against Ruiz

On December 7, 2019, Joshua and Ruiz had a rematch at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia. Joshua, weighing in lighter, won by unanimous decision, reclaiming his unified heavyweight titles.

2019: Defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr.

In 2019, Joshua suffered a defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr.

March 2020: Joshua vs. Pulev fight announcement

On March 2, 2020, it was announced that Joshua would defend his heavyweight titles against Kubrat Pulev at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20, but the fight was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2020: Joshua-Pulev fight postponed

In April 2020, specifically on April 3rd, the fight between Joshua and Pulev, initially scheduled for June 20, was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 2020: Two-fight deal agreed

In June 2020, a two-fight deal between Joshua and Fury had been agreed 'in principle'.

December 2020: Joshua calls out Fury after defeating Pulev

In December 2020, immediately after defeating Kubrat Pulev on December 12 in London, Joshua expressed his desire to compete with Tyson Fury for the undisputed title.

May 2021: Fury announces fight with Joshua

In May 2021, specifically on May 17, Tyson Fury announced that his fight with Joshua would take place on August 14, 2021, in Saudi Arabia. However, an arbitration ruling jeopardized the fight.

August 2021: Joshua vs. Fury fight date

On May 17th, 2021, it was announced that the fight between Fury and Joshua would take place on August 14th, 2021, in Saudi Arabia.

September 2021: Joshua activates rematch clause against Usyk

In September 2021, specifically on September 29, Joshua activated the rematch clause against Oleksandr Usyk, who had just defeated him to become the unified world heavyweight champion.

2021: End of Unified Heavyweight Championship Reign

By 2021, Anthony Joshua's reign as the unified heavyweight champion had ended.

2021: Lightest Weight Since 2021

In November 2025, for his fight with Jake Paul, Joshua weighed in at 243.4 pounds, marking his lightest weight since 2021, where he weighed 240 pounds.

June 2022: Joshua-Usyk rematch announced

In June 2022, specifically on June 19, the rematch between Joshua and Usyk was officially announced to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 20.

February 2023: Joshua announces fight against Franklin

In February 2023, on the 6th, Joshua announced his return to the ring against Jermaine Franklin on April 1 at The O2 Arena. He also announced his partnership with trainer Derrick James.

July 2023: Joshua vs. Whyte rematch announced

In July 2023, on the 6th, a rematch between Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua was announced to be held at The O2 Arena in London.

August 2023: Helenius replaces Whyte as opponent

In August 2023, specifically on August 5, the rematch with Whyte was canceled after Whyte tested positive for a banned substance. On August 8, Robert Helenius was announced as Whyte's replacement and Joshua won the bout by knockout on August 12, 2023.

October 2023: Potential Fight with Deontay Wilder

In October 2023, there were reports that Anthony Joshua might face Deontay Wilder on December 23 in Saudi Arabia, potentially on the same card as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

March 2024: Joshua Defeats Ngannou by Knockout

In March 2024, Anthony Joshua fought Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia, knocking him down in the first round and winning by a second-round knockout.

March 2024: Knockout of Francis Ngannou

In March 2024, Joshua had achieved a second-round knockout of Francis Ngannou.

June 2024: Joshua to challenge Daniel Dubois

In June 2024, following Daniel Dubois's elevation to full IBF champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title, it was announced that Anthony Joshua would challenge Dubois for the title on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium.

September 2024: Joshua to challenge Daniel Dubois

In June 2024, it was announced that Anthony Joshua would be challenging Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title on 21 September 2024 at Wembley Stadium in London.

July 2025: Possible fight with Jake Paul discussed

In July 2025, Eddie Hearn discussed a potential fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul, noting increased interest after Paul's call-out to Joshua, with conversations ongoing with Turki Alalshikh.

November 2025: Paul announces exhibition fight

In November 2025, Paul announced an exhibition fight against Gervonta Davis. However, the card was later cancelled due to a lawsuit against Davis.

November 2025: Fight against Jake Paul Scheduled

In November 2025, it was announced that Anthony Joshua was scheduled to fight Jake Paul on December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. It was to be an eight-round match broadcast by Netflix. Joshua accepted to "break the internet" with the event. He weighed in at 243.4 pounds, his lightest since 2021.

December 2025: Return to the ring announced

In August, it was announced that Joshua would return to the ring in December 2025 with Tony Yoka and Jake Paul being considered as potential opponents.