Skip to content

Anthony Joshua lifts the lid on journey to becoming world heavyweight champion

Anthony Joshua features in episode 1 of Sky Sports' My Icon series

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Anthony Joshua is happy to be a role model for kids from all communities

World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is widely regarded as the face of boxing and is now one of the most recognisable sportspeople on the planet.

But despite winning Olympic gold in 2012 and holding the IBF and WBA (super) titles, it is with a shrug of the shoulders that Joshua says: "I don't think I'm the most gifted - but when you see me fight, I think you see my heart. I wear my heart on my sleeve."

'AJ' grew up in Watford but spent much of his time in the company of his cousin, Ben Ileyemi, who lived in north London.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Joshua says boxing caters for people of all ages and abilities

It was there that he landed at the world-famous Finchley ABC, but Joshua insists boxing was a hobby, a way to try and keep fit, admitting he "didn't think it would become a career path".

But his 11th-round stoppage of Ukrainian giant Wladimir Klitschko in April underlined his status as boxing's biggest superstar, cementing his place as a genuine British sporting role model.

"A role model is interesting, because no man is perfect," AJ says.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

My Icon is a 31-part series on Sky Sports Mix, bringing you interviews with BAME sportsmen and women every day in October

"I'd like to connect with people, who can connect to my positives and my negatives and take inspiration from both sides."

Also See:

AJ talks about his journey in the first instalment of the My Icon series, which premieres on Sunday at 7am on Sky Sports Mix and is repeated at 10.30am, 1pm, 3.30pm and 5.45pm.

Coinciding with Black History Month, Sky Sports' My Icon campaign brings you 31 exclusive interviews with top BAME sports personalities across the month of October. For more information, click here.