Former Coach Says Joshua is Still The Same as He Always Was

By Terence Dooley

Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) may have made millions and entertained tens of thousands of fans en route to partially unifying the heavyweight division yet success has not gone to his head according to someone who has known him for all of his adult life. 

Sean Murphy trained Joshua when he was a teenager, and the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club coach has revealed that the IBF and WBA world and IBO titlist still makes regular visits to his old amateur gym to inspire the next generation of fighters.

“He likes the buzz of the gym, the atmosphere, the people and it's him coming back to his roots and where it all started,” said Murphy when speaking to Jack Austin of The Independent.  “He just feels happy here.”

The 28-year-old has also enjoyed a huge growth spurt since his amateur days, he towers over most rivals and is always in supreme condition, but Murphy said that he still sees him as the teenager who came to boxing relatively late in life. 

“He's got a bit broader now, and a bit stronger, but apart from that he's still the same fella really,” he said.  “There is no difference.  He's the same person that came in the gym at 18.  He was just a bit of a joker really.  He was a happy fella, always smiling, never really down.  He was always upbeat and lively, full of energy.  Just a really nice fella to be honest with you.”

Despite being arrested and charged with possession with intent to supply marijuana in 2011, Joshua represented the UK at the following summer’s Olympic Games due to the leniency of a judge after he entered a guilty plea.  He went on to win gold in the Super heavyweight division before turning professional the following year. 

“I've had loads of kids with problems and a lot worse than what Josh had,” admitted Murphy.

“I've got one of my boys who ended up on crack and in prison.  Some of them just get away from you and you end up losing them.  I'd glad I bumped into Josh when I did and saw him in the street, his mum also rang me at one point asking me to see where he is because he was with the wrong crowd.  He actually went to court and the judge said 'it's only the fact that you're boxing which is keeping you out of a custodial sentence'.  That was the kick-up-the-bum he needed to say 'hang on, I've got something here and make something of my life.  Or do I want to go down the other route and end up in prison?'  Thankfully he chose the right one.”

Joshua meets WBO holder Joseph Parker at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff next weekend, a win should propel the winner into a showdown with American WBC holder Deontay Wilder to crown an undisputed champion in the revitalised division.

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