1978: Record-Breaking Attendance for Ali vs. Spinks Rematch
The Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks rematch in 1978 drew a crowd of 63,000 fans at the New Orleans Superdome, setting a record for the largest indoor boxing attendance at the time.
1987: Tony Tucker's Short Reign as IBF Champion
In 1987, Tony Tucker held the IBF heavyweight championship for the shortest period in history before losing it, highlighting the competitive nature of the division.
October 1989: Birth of Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England in October 1989.
October 1989: Birth of Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua was born to Yeta and Robert Joshua in October 1989.
2007: Introduction to Boxing
Anthony Joshua began boxing in 2007, at the age of 18, after a suggestion from his cousin.
2008: Victory over 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist
During the 2012 Olympics, Joshua defeated Zhang Zhilei, the silver medalist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
2009: First Haringey Box Cup Victory
Anthony Joshua won the Haringey Box Cup for the first time in 2009.
2009: Klitschko's Lightest Weigh-In Since 2009
At the weigh-in for his fight against Anthony Joshua, Wladimir Klitschko, at 41 years old, tipped the scales at 240.25 pounds. This marked his lightest fighting weight since 2009.
2009: Joshua Serves Time in Reading Prison
In 2009, Joshua was incarcerated in Reading Prison due to his involvement in fighting and other unlawful activities. This incident led to him wearing an electronic ankle tag upon his release.
2010: International Amateur Boxing Tournament
Anthony Joshua participated in the International Amateur Boxing Tournament in 2010.
2010: Second Haringey Box Cup Victory, Senior ABA Championships, and British Amateur Champion
In 2010, Joshua won the Haringey Box Cup for the second time, won the Senior ABA Championships, and became the British Amateur Champion after defeating Amin Isa.
2010: Great Britain Championships
Anthony Joshua participated in the Great Britain Championships in 2010.
2010: English National Championships
Anthony Joshua participated in the English National Championships in 2010.
2010: England vs Ireland
Anthony Joshua participated in a boxing event between England and Ireland in 2010.
March 2011: Joshua Charged with Drug Possession
Joshua's promising boxing career faced a setback in March 2011 when he was arrested for speeding and found with a significant amount of cannabis. This led to drug charges, suspension from the GB Boxing squad, and community service.
October 2011: Amateur Boxer of the Year
In October 2011, Joshua was named Amateur Boxer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Club of Great Britain.
2011: AIBA World Boxing Championships
Anthony Joshua participated in the AIBA World Boxing Championships in 2011.
2011: English National Championships
Anthony Joshua participated in the English National Championships in 2011.
2011: European Amateur Boxing Championships
Anthony Joshua participated in the European Amateur Boxing Championships in 2011.
2011: Victory over Roberto Cammarelle and World Championship Qualification
At the 2011 World Championships, Joshua defeated reigning world and Olympic champion Roberto Cammarelle, eventually earning a silver medal and qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games.
2011: World Championships Silver Medal
Joshua represented England at the 2011 World Championships in the super-heavyweight division, winning a silver medal.
2012: Joshua's Lack of Football Allegiance
In 2012, Joshua revealed he didn't support a specific football team.
2012: Olympic Qualification
Joshua's performance at the 2011 World Championships secured his place in the super-heavyweight division at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal
Joshua won a gold medal representing Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal
Anthony Joshua won the gold medal in the super-heavyweight division at the 2012 London Olympics.
2012: Algirdas Socikas Tournament
Anthony Joshua participated in the Algirdas Socikas Tournament in 2012.
2012: Bocskai Memorial
Anthony Joshua participated in the Bocskai Memorial in 2012.
2012: Olympic Games
Anthony Joshua participated in the Olympic Games in 2012.
July 2013: Turns Professional
It was confirmed that Anthony Joshua turned professional under the Matchroom Sport promotional banner in July 2013.
October 2013: Professional Debut and Victory over Emanuele Leo
Anthony Joshua made his professional debut against Emanuele Leo in October 2013, winning by technical knockout in the first round.
November 2013: Victory over Hrvoje Kišiček
Anthony Joshua defeated Hrvoje Kišiček by TKO in the second round in November 2013, securing his third knockout victory in a row.
2013: Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire
Anthony Joshua was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for his service to boxing.
2013: Professional Debut alongside Cousin Ben Ileyemi
Both Anthony Joshua and his cousin, Ben Ileyemi, made their professional boxing debuts in 2013.
2013: Joshua Begins Professional Boxing Career with Eddie Hearn
Joshua's professional boxing journey began in 2013 under the guidance of promoter Eddie Hearn.
February 2014: Victory over Dorian Darch
Anthony Joshua defeated Dorian Darch in February 2014, winning by TKO in the second round to maintain his undefeated record.
July 2014: Victory over Matt Skelton
Anthony Joshua's seventh professional fight was against Matt Skelton in July 2014, which he won by stoppage in the second round.
July 2014: Joshua Names His Top 5 Heavyweight Boxers
During an interview in July 2014, Joshua shared his list of boxing legends, naming Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, Lennox Lewis, and Evander Holyfield as his top five heavyweight boxers of all time.
September 2014: Victory over Konstantin Airich
Anthony Joshua extended his winning streak to 8-0 in September 2014 by defeating Konstantin Airich with a third-round stoppage.
September 2014: Joshua's Last Fight in Manchester
September 2014 marked the last time Anthony Joshua fought in Manchester, England, before his scheduled return to the city in November 2016.
October 2014: WBC International Heavyweight Title Victory
In his ninth professional fight in October 2014, Anthony Joshua defeated Dennis Bakhtov by knockout in the second round to win the vacant WBC International heavyweight title at the age of 24.
November 2014: Victory over Michael Sprott
Anthony Joshua defeated Michael Sprott in November 2014, winning by knockout in the first round and extending his record to ten wins, all by stoppage.
2014: Ring Magazine Prospect of the Year
In 2014, Anthony Joshua was named Prospect of the Year by The Ring magazine.
2014: Joshua's Lightest Weight Since Sprott Fight
Anthony Joshua's weight for the Parker fight was his lowest since his 2014 match against Michael Sprott, suggesting a focus on speed and agility.
January 2015: Scheduled Bout with Kevin Johnson Cancelled
Anthony Joshua was scheduled to fight Kevin Johnson on January 31, 2015, but the fight was cancelled due to a back injury sustained by Joshua.
April 2015: Joshua Returns to the Ring
On April 4, 2015, Anthony Joshua marked his return to the ring after recovering from a back injury. He secured a victory against Jason Gavern with a third-round knockout in Newcastle.
May 2015: Two Consecutive Knockouts for Joshua
Anthony Joshua continued his winning streak in May 2015. He defeated Raphael Zumbano Love by knockout in the second round on May 9th in Birmingham. Later that month, on May 30th, he faced Kevin Johnson, securing another victory by technical knockout in the second round, marking the first stoppage in Johnson's career. Johnson subsequently announced his retirement from boxing, though he later made a comeback in March 2017.
July 2015: Joshua vs. Cornish Fight Announcement
On July 16, 2015, it was announced that Anthony Joshua would challenge Gary Cornish for the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title. The bout was scheduled for September 12th at The O2 Arena in London.
December 2015: Grudge Match: Joshua vs. Whyte
In a highly anticipated rematch from their amateur days, Anthony Joshua faced Dillian Whyte on December 12, 2015. The fight was for the vacant British heavyweight title, with Joshua also defending his Commonwealth heavyweight title. Joshua emerged victorious, knocking out Whyte in the seventh round and reportedly earning £3 million from the bout.
2015: Joshua vs. Whyte Fight Viewership
In 2015, Anthony Joshua's fight drew an average of 659,000 viewers on Showtime and peaked at 687,000 viewers during rounds five and six. The delayed tape-replay on HBO garnered an average of 738,000 viewers, peaking at 890,000. German TV channel RTL reported an average of 10.43 million viewers and an overall card average of 9.59 million viewers, surpassing the 8.91 million viewers for Klitschko vs. Fury in 2015.
2015: Joshua Becomes a Father
In 2015, Joshua became a father with the birth of his son, Joseph "JJ" Joshua. JJ's mother is dance teacher Nicole Osbourne.
February 2016: Joshua to Challenge Charles Martin for IBF Title
In February 2016, it was announced that Anthony Joshua would fight Charles Martin for the IBF heavyweight championship. The bout was scheduled for April 9, 2016, at the O2 Arena in London.
April 2016: Joshua Claims IBF Heavyweight Title
Anthony Joshua captured his first world title on April 9, 2016, by knocking out Charles Martin in the second round to win the IBF heavyweight championship.
June 2016: Joshua Defends IBF Title Against Breazeale
Anthony Joshua successfully defended his IBF heavyweight title for the first time on June 25, 2016, defeating Dominic Breazeale by knockout in the seventh round at the O2 Arena in London.
November 2016: WBA Sanctions Joshua vs. Klitschko Unification Bout
The WBA agreed to sanction a heavyweight unification fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko in November 2016, with the vacant WBA (Super) title at stake. The bout was contingent on Joshua's victory against Eric Molina.
2016: Parker's Lightest Weight Since Haumono Fight
Joseph Parker weighed in at his lightest since his 2016 fight against Solomon Haumono, indicating his preparation for the Joshua bout.
2016: First Unified World Heavyweight Championship Reign
Anthony Joshua first became the unified world heavyweight champion in 2016.
January 2017: Record Ticket Sales for Joshua vs. Klitschko
The demand for tickets for the Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko fight reached unprecedented levels in January 2017, with over 80,000 tickets sold, setting a new box office record and prompting requests for increased capacity at Wembley Stadium.
March 2017: Kevin Johnson Returns to Boxing
After announcing his retirement in May 2015, Kevin Johnson made a return to professional boxing in March 2017.
April 2017: Joshua vs. Klitschko Fight Scheduled
Following Anthony Joshua's victory over Eric Molina, the highly anticipated unification bout against Wladimir Klitschko was officially scheduled for April 29, 2017, at Wembley Stadium in London.
June 2017: IBF Grants Joshua Rematch Exemption
In June 2017, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) allowed Anthony Joshua to have a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko instead of fighting Kubrat Pulev, the mandatory challenger at the time.
August 2017: Klitschko Announces Retirement, Rematch Canceled
Wladimir Klitschko announced his retirement from boxing in August 2017, leading to the cancellation of a potential rematch with Anthony Joshua.
August 2017: IBF Orders Joshua vs. Pulev
Following Klitschko's retirement announcement in August 2017, the IBF mandated a fight between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev, with a deadline of September 2017 to reach an agreement.
September 2017: WBA Orders Joshua vs. Ortiz
The World Boxing Association (WBA) ordered Anthony Joshua to defend his title against Luis Ortiz, their top-ranked fighter, in September 2017, giving them 30 days to negotiate a deal.
October 2017: Joshua vs. Pulev Fight Negotiations
Negotiations for a fight between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev were underway in August 2017 and were nearing finalization by October 2017. The fight was planned for October 28, 2017, with Las Vegas being considered as a potential location.
October 2017: Molina Tests Positive for Banned Substance
Eric Molina tested positive for dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, following his third-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua on October 28, 2017. This positive test resulted in a two-year ban from fighting in the UK for Molina, backdated to the date of the fight.
November 2017: Joshua's Racist Comment Controversy
In November 2017, Joshua sparked controversy when he called boxer Eddie Chambers a "disgrace to the superior black race" on Instagram. Although his promoter initially claimed the message was from a fake account, this was proven false, leading to widespread criticism.
December 2017: IBF Sets Rematch Deadline
The IBF had stipulated that if the Klitschko-Joshua rematch were to happen, it must take place no later than December 2017, with the winner obligated to fight Kubrat Pulev next.
2017: Joshua Ranked World's Most Marketable Athlete
In 2017, Joshua was recognized as the world's most marketable athlete, surpassing basketball player Stephen Curry.
2017: Joshua Reveals Football Fandom
In 2017, Joshua shared his fondness for both his local team, Watford F.C., and Real Madrid C.F. He attributed his admiration for Real Madrid to Cristiano Ronaldo, who was playing for them at the time. He also mentioned his friendship with footballer Troy Deeney, whom he met at a local barbershop.
2017: Joshua vs. Pulev Initially Scheduled
A fight between Joshua and Pulev was initially planned for 2017. However, Pulev sustained an injury, leading to Carlos Takam replacing him as Joshua's opponent. This initial scheduling set the stage for the eventual rescheduling of the fight, which faced further delays due to the pandemic.
2017: Fight of the Year vs. Wladimir Klitschko
Anthony Joshua's victory against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 was named Fight of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
January 2018: Principality Stadium Confirmed, Negotiations Conclude, and Showtime Broadcast
The Principality Stadium in Cardiff was officially confirmed as the venue for the Joshua-Parker fight in early January 2018. Negotiations concluded shortly after, with the fight date set for March 31, 2018. Showtime announced their live broadcast of the fight in the United States in February 2018.
March 2018: Joshua-Parker Fight Negotiations and Venue Selection
Negotiations for a fight between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker were ongoing in March 2018. The Principality Stadium in Cardiff was a frontrunner to host the fight, with a potential date in late March or April 2018.
April 2018: Joshua-Parker Fight Confirmed
The fight between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker was officially confirmed in late December 2017, with an expected date in April 2018. The bout was set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office.
May 2018: Molina Receives Two-Year Ban
On May 22, 2018, UK Anti-Doping announced a two-year ban from fighting in the UK for Eric Molina. The ban, backdated to October 28, 2017, stemmed from a positive test for dexamethasone following his loss to Anthony Joshua. Molina's ban sparked controversy as he had competed in two subsequent fights after the Joshua bout.
June 2018: Negotiations for Joshua-Wilder and Joshua-Povetkin Fights
In June 2018, there were ongoing negotiations for a super fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, but hurdles included the purse split, date, and venue. Negotiations for Joshua to fight WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin were also taking place. The WBA gave Joshua's camp 24 hours to finalize a deal with Povetkin on June 26th.
September 2018: Whyte Claims Joshua's Lack of Seriousness
By January 2019, Whyte claimed that Joshua had not been serious about a rematch since September 2018, as Joshua had already secured the April 2019 fight date but had not made any serious offers. This further complicated the negotiations for the potential fight.
September 2018: Joshua vs. Povetkin Announced
On July 5th, 2018, it was announced that Joshua's next two fights would be held at Wembley Stadium in London on September 22, 2018 and April 13, 2019. The September fight was officially confirmed as the Joshua vs. Povetkin bout for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles. This announcement came amidst ongoing negotiations for a potential Joshua vs. Wilder fight.
September 2018: Joshua-Povetkin Fight Confirmed
With the Joshua-Wilder fight negotiations ongoing, it was announced that Joshua would fight Povetkin in September 2018. This fight was seen as a significant hurdle for the Joshua-Wilder fight, but there were assurances that the Wilder fight would still happen in April 2019.
December 2018: Dillian Whyte Emerges as Potential Opponent
In December 2018, with Joshua's April 2019 opponent still undecided, Dillian Whyte emerged as a potential contender. However, negotiations were complicated by Whyte claiming that Joshua's camp had made him a "lowball" offer and rumors that Joshua might choose to fight Jarrell Miller in the US instead.
2018: Joshua Discusses Future Fights
After a fight in 2018, Anthony Joshua expressed interest in potential future bouts against Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder. Victory against both opponents would make Joshua the undisputed champion and potentially set up an all-English clash with Tyson Fury.
January 2019: Whyte Rejects Low Offer, Joshua's US Fight Considered
Dillian Whyte revealed he rejected a "lowball" offer to fight Joshua in January 2019. The potential for Joshua to fight in the US instead of Wembley Stadium also emerged.
April 2019: Joshua's Next Fight Scheduled
With the Joshua vs. Povetkin fight set for September 2018, it was also announced that Joshua's following fight would take place on April 13, 2019, at Wembley Stadium in London. The opponent for this April fight was not confirmed at this time.
April 2019: Joshua-Whyte Fight Unlikely, Miller Considered
By February 2019, the possibility of the Joshua-Whyte fight happening in April 2019 at Wembley seemed unlikely. Whyte claimed the fight was "dead", and alternative opponents, including Jarrell Miller, were considered.
April 2019: Jarrell Miller Fails Drug Test, Potential Replacements Sought
Jarrell Miller, who was set to fight Joshua in April 2019, tested positive for banned substances. This led to a scramble to find a replacement, with Luis Ortiz being a frontrunner. Despite the setback, Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, was determined to keep the April 19 fight date.
April 2019: Planned Joshua-Wilder Fight
Despite the ongoing negotiations for the Joshua-Povetkin fight, Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, maintained that the highly anticipated Joshua-Wilder fight would still happen in April 2019 at Wembley Stadium. This was contingent on Wilder signing a deal to fight Joshua, and Hearn stated that the WBA would have granted an exemption for the Povetkin fight.
June 2019: Joshua vs. Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden
With Jarrell Miller out, Andy Ruiz Jr. emerged as a potential replacement to face Joshua. After negotiations, the fight was confirmed for June 1st, 2019, at Madison Square Garden, marking Joshua's US debut. Ruiz, considered an underdog, pulled off a massive upset, defeating Joshua by TKO in the seventh round to become the unified heavyweight champion.
October 2019: Molina's Ban Ends
The two-year ban imposed on Eric Molina by UK Anti-Doping for testing positive for a banned substance concluded on October 28, 2019, allowing him to resume his fighting career in the UK.
December 2019: Joshua vs. Ruiz Jr. Rematch in Saudi Arabia
After his upset loss, Joshua immediately exercised his rematch clause to face Ruiz Jr. again. The rematch took place on December 7th, 2019, in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Joshua, showing a more disciplined and tactical approach, won the rematch by unanimous decision, reclaiming his unified heavyweight titles.
March 2020: Joshua vs. Pulev Announced for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
On March 2nd, 2020, it was announced that Joshua would defend his heavyweight titles against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on June 20th, 2020. This fight was a rescheduling of a previously planned bout in 2017 that was canceled due to a Pulev injury.
April 2020: Joshua vs. Pulev Postponed Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
The Joshua vs. Pulev fight, initially scheduled for June 20th, 2020, was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This postponement reflected the global disruption caused by the pandemic and its impact on live sporting events.
June 2020: Initial Agreement for Fury Fight
A two-fight deal between Joshua and Fury was agreed upon in principle in June 2020.
June 2020: Joshua Accused of Racism After Black Lives Matter Speech
In June 2020, Joshua faced accusations of racism following his speech at a Black Lives Matter protest. Some social media users interpreted his words, which called for supporting black-owned businesses, as a call to boycott white businesses. Joshua clarified that he was reading a friend's speech and denied being racist.
December 2020: Victory Against Pulev and Talk of Unification
In December 2020, Joshua defeated Kubrat Pulev and expressed interest in a unification fight with Tyson Fury, who held the WBC and The Ring titles.
2020: Joshua Affirms Strong Bond with Promoter Eddie Hearn
In 2020, Joshua emphasized the strong bond he shares with his promoter, Eddie Hearn, stating that their friendship extends beyond their professional relationship.
May 2021: Fury Announces Fight, Wilder Arbitration Intervenes
Fury announced a fight with Joshua for August 2021, but an arbitration ruling mandated Fury to fight Deontay Wilder first, jeopardizing the Joshua bout.
August 2021: Scheduled Fury Fight Canceled, Usyk Emerges
The proposed August 2021 fight with Fury was canceled due to the Wilder situation, and Joshua was ordered by the WBO to fight Oleksandr Usyk instead.
September 2021: Rematch Clause Activated, Usyk's Ambitions
Following Usyk's victory over Joshua in September 2021, a rematch clause was activated. Usyk expressed his desire for the rematch to be in Ukraine.
2021: Recognized for Influence
Joshua was included in the 2021 Powerlist, highlighting the 100 most influential Black Britons.
2021: Second Unified World Heavyweight Championship Reign
Anthony Joshua's second reign as the unified world heavyweight champion ended in 2021.
June 2022: Rematch Location Confirmed
In June 2022, the rematch between Joshua and Usyk was officially announced to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 20, 2022.
August 2022: Controversy Surrounding Saudi Arabia Fight
Joshua faced criticism and questions about his decision to fight in Saudi Arabia in August 2022 due to the country's human rights record, particularly concerning the sentencing of a woman for her Twitter activity.
February 2023: Joshua's Return and New Partnership
Joshua announced his return to the ring against Jermaine Franklin on April 1, 2023, marking his first fight under a DAZN deal. He also revealed his new trainer, Derrick James.
July 2023: Whyte Rematch Announced
A rematch between Joshua and Dillian Whyte was scheduled for July 2023 but was later canceled due to Whyte's positive drug test.
August 12, 2023: Joshua Defeats Helenius
Joshua secured a victory against Robert Helenius by knockout in the seventh round on August 12, 2023.
August 2023: Whyte Tests Positive, Helenius Steps In
Dillian Whyte's positive drug test led to the cancellation of the rematch, and Robert Helenius was announced as his replacement to face Joshua.
October 2023: Potential Wilder Fight and Saudi Arabia Card
Initial reports in October 2023 suggested a potential fight between Joshua and Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia, but plans changed, with both fighters facing different opponents on the same card.
2023: Joshua Invests in Alpine F1 Team
Expanding his interests beyond boxing, Joshua joined the investment group of the Alpine Formula One racing team in 2023.
March 2024: Victory Against Ngannou
Joshua secured a second-round knockout victory against Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on March 8, 2024.
June 2024: Dubois Becomes IBF Champion, Joshua Challenge Announced
Daniel Dubois was elevated to full IBF champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title. Joshua was then scheduled to challenge Dubois on September 21, 2024.
September 2024: Loss to Dubois
Joshua lost to Daniel Dubois by knockout in the fifth round of their fight for the IBF heavyweight title on September 21, 2024.