WBA/IBF/WBO world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua went back to his roots this weekend with a surprise visit to his old gym.
Joshua surprised trainers and fighters with the return to Finchley Amateur Boxing Club in Barnet, where he took his first steps in the sport aged 18.
The champion posted a short video clip to Instagram showing him arriving at the club, to the obvious delight of those inside.
And he added another showing him being coached in the ring by one of the club’s trainers, which he captioned ‘Back 2 Basics’.
Joshua’s return to training comes amid protracted discussion over who his next opponent should be.
His promoter Eddie Hearn hoped that WBC champion Deontay Wilder would meet Joshua at Wembley in April for an undisputed heavyweight title showdown.
But with negotiations for that fight in difficulties – Wilder being expected to meet Tyson Fury in a rematch – Dillian Whyte and Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller have also been touted as possible challengers.
One fight that seems unlikely to take place in the near future is Joshua versus Fury, according to the Mancunian boxer’s promoter Frank Warren.
Warren told iFL TV: “We’re certainly not having any conversations with Anthony Joshua because no one ever contacts us. All we do is read things, [Eddie] Hearn saying he’s been talking to him and tweeting him.
“As it stands now we’ve had zero with regards to any communication. Nothing at all.”
However, Warren says that he and Fury are interested in facing Joshua as it would clearly be a “great fight.”
Fury himself recently explained why he and the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Joshua were unlikely to meet in the ring.
He told BT Sport: “I don’t think it’s going to happen and I’m sorry to disappoint the sports fans. Joshua, even with two hammers in each hand could never beat Tyson Fury and they (Joshua’s camp) know it.
“They know that, they’re not silly, it’s a business as well so they’re not going to take the fight, simple as. That fight ain’t going to happen.”
–thesun.co.uk
