Anthony Joshua, the two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medallist, remains one of sport's most compelling figures, not just for his prowess in the ring but for the intriguing contrasts of his life outside it. Fresh from a reported £70 million payday for defeating YouTuber Jake Paul last Friday, the 36-year-old's extraordinary wealth, estimated at over £200 million, sits alongside his choice to still reside in the £175,000 council house he bought for his mother.
From Finchley to Fortune: The Making of a Champion
The Watford-born fighter's journey to the pinnacle of boxing is a tale of dramatic transformation. He honed his skills at the Finchley Boxing Club in North London, rising from a background where he admits to smoking cannabis six times a day from the age of 13. His life changed course with a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics, a victory that came just hours before the closing ceremony. Turning professional the following year, Joshua scaled the heights, becoming unified world champion by defeating Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April 2017.
His career has seen notable setbacks, including surprise losses to Andy Ruiz Jr and two defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. However, his dominant six-round victory over Jake Paul in Miami, which left the YouTuber with a broken jaw, marked a powerful return to winning ways. Attention now turns to a potential long-awaited all-British clash with Tyson Fury.
A Private Life Under the Spotlight
Despite his global fame, Joshua guards his personal life fiercely. He has consistently described himself as "very single", joking in a 2023 interview with Louis Theroux about the stress of having a girlfriend. He has denied romantic links to celebrities like models Cara Delevingne and Bella Hadid, despite being pictured with them in the past.
His most significant relationship was with childhood sweetheart Nicole Osbourne. The pair, who met at Kings Langley School around 2005, have a son together, Joseph (JJ), born in late 2015. Joshua has spoken with respect about Osbourne, calling her an "amazing woman", and they remain on good terms, co-parenting their child.
Joshua has, however, expressed a clear vision for his future family. On The Jonathan Ross Show in April 2021, he revealed his desire to have "loads" of children, suggesting "another six" so he would be surrounded by family in his later years.
Family First: The Mother's House and Future Partners
One of the most discussed aspects of Joshua's life is his decision to continue living with his mother, Yeta Odusanya, in the London home he purchased for her. He explained this cultural choice to Louis Theroux, stating, "In our culture you grow up with your family... Why am I going to move out and leave my mum by herself for some girl?"
He emphasised that any future partner would need to integrate into his close-knit family, saying, "When a girl gets with me, she isn't just marrying me, she's marrying my family." His mother remains a central figure, with Joshua often sharing his admiration for her.
While fiercely protective of his privacy, Joshua has offered glimpses through social media, celebrating fatherhood on X (formerly Twitter), and was linked to British influencer Kika Osunde after sharing a ringside kiss with her in March 2024. His representatives swiftly dismissed the rumours, stating the boxer was "in a relationship… with professional boxing."
From a teenager smoking spliffs to a disciplined elite athlete commanding nine-figure fight purses, Anthony Joshua's story is one of radical reinvention. Yet, at its core, it remains anchored by the family values and private discipline that have shaped the man behind the championship belts.
