Anthony Joshua record: Height, weight, reach, career stats and more as former world champion prepares for massive year

05/01/2024 15:05

Anthony Joshua hopes 2024 is going to be the year he becomes world champion again.

After back-to-back defeats against the mighty Oleksandr Usyk, AJ has won his last three fights and is eyeing a world title shot after dispatching Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia

Joshua saw off Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius to set up a bout with Swede heavyweight Wallin.

However, he was too strong for his opponent and Wallin’s corner stopped the fight in the fifth round.

Deontay Wilder was supposed to be his next opponent, but he lost to Joseph Parker, leaving AJ with plenty of other options.

Joshua’s status in the boxing world has fallen in recent years, but he still beat Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 and has been a two-time heavyweight world champion.

But he has the talent to turn this around and rise up the rankings once again.

Anthony Joshua: Debut and fights so far

Following his Olympic Gold at the London 2012 games, the Watford-born star turned professional.

He made his debut at the O2 Arena against Emanuele Leo on October 5, 2013.

He easily dispatched his opponent in the first round and won a further 13 fights comfortably.

But Joshua’s career progressed to another level in 2015 when he came up against fellow London-based boxer Whyte.

The bout lasted seven rounds before AJ’s superior skill saw him emerge victorious via knockout.

Joshua then earned the IBF belt with a comfortable victory over Charles Martin and defended his title against Dominic Breazeale and Eric Molina.

Then came AJ’s best win as he added the WBA and IBO belts to his collection with an astonishing win over Klitschko.

Wins over Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin followed as he became the unified world champion before a shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in New York saw Joshua lose his belts.

He won them back in the rematch against Ruiz and dispatched Kubrat Pulev to set up the first Usyk clash.

The Ukrainian moved up from cruiserweight but produced a boxing masterclass at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to win via unanimous decision and claim all the belts.

The rematch occurred in Saudi Arabia, and Joshua produced a much better display but still lost on a split decision and left the Middle East empty-handed.

His next fight saw him face Franklin, who lasted the full 12 rounds without really threatening Joshua, handing the Brit a unanimous decision victory.

He was then meant to face Whyte again, but his fellow Londoner failed a drugs test, and Helenius stepped in.

The Finnish boxer proved to be no match for Joshua, who knocked him out in round seven.

Wallin was meant to be the toughest opponent this new-look AJ has fought, but it was light work for the Brit.

He dominated from the start and made Wallin look like a poor fighter.

Anthony Joshua: Wins, losses and record

Of the 30 fights Joshua has participated in, he has won 27 with three defeats.

He has claimed 24 knockout victories, with five coming inside the first round.

Anthony Joshua: Weight, height and reach

Ahead of his last fight, Joshua weighed in at 251lbs (113.8kg).

This 1lbs more than his bout against Helenius.

The 34-year-old also stands at an imposing 6ft 6 (198cm) and has a reach of 82in (208cm).

Anthony Joshua: Next fight

With Wilder suffering a shock defeat, it appears as if AJ will face Filip Hrgovic for the IBF heavyweight title later this year.

There is a mandatory challenge for that belt due, which has to happen before Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson’s Fury rematch in their two-fight deal.

Hrgovic is the IBF’s number one ranked heavyweight, so he would face the number two, which is Joshua.

And AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed this was the most likely clash.

He said: “It was a tough decision between the championship and Wilder.

“We signed for Wilder, he lost tonight.

“But maybe it’s a blessing because he wants to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

“Now it’s gonna be AJ vs Hrgovic for the world title.”

However, a long-awaited clash against Fury for a real Battle of Britain contest can’t be ruled out should Fury beat Usyk.

The two have come close to facing each other in the past, and it’s the contest we all want to see.

But there are many pieces that have to fall into place for that one to happen.