Anthony Joshua is one of the most recognisable boxers in the world, and the 36-year-old will be fighting former YouTuber Jake Paul in a televised match. Away from the ring, however, the boxer is a proud father to his young son, JJ, who was born in 2015. He shares the youngster with ex-girlfriend Nicole Osbourne, a dance teacher.
Despite his fame, little JJ isn't massively aware about his father's fight with Jake. Speaking ahead of the fight, Anthony admitted: "I'm sure he knows who Jake is but I don’t really take boxing home. If I'm honest with you, he hasn't spoken about a fight, I haven’t actually spoken to him about a fight. We talk about maths, the purpose of life.
"I talk to him about confidence but I don’t really talk to him about my career and stuff, like, 'Son, let me tell you about the jab I threw today in the gym. I was slipping this.' He'd be like, 'Shut up, Dad.' You know what I’m saying?
Read on for all you need to know about Anthony's son...
Rare comments
Ahead of his fight against Jermaine Franklin in 2023, Anthony spoke to the press about his son's relationship with his beloved sport. "He's seven, he's gonna be eight this year, so he's definitely aware," the boxer said. "I don't think he cares! That’s the thing: I don’t think he has an interest like that. He obviously knows boxing; him and his cousins, they box now and again."
Surprisingly, he stressed that for children, and even his own son, boxing isn't everything. “I don’t think he’s at that age where... It’s interesting, right: I always look out when I’m in camp, and I see people going about their business. Boxing is so important in our lives, but it’s not important in everybody’s lives," he explained.
JJ's future
Anthony revealed his feelings about his son JJ following in his footsteps and his feelings were clear – he isn't keen to push little JJ into the sport. "I think it’s important to find it yourself," Joshua stated. "I'd just say: ‘Don't compete with me, be your own individual. Anything I've done in boxing is not for you to match; it's for you to kind of find your own reasons."
The boxer explained that the same would stand despite the help he could offer his son in getting into the sport. Anthony said candidly: "I think he'd have a good run at it, because of the experience I've got, so I'd be able to guide him. He'd have a headstart."
© InstagramDuring an appearance on Desert Island Discs, Anthony revealed that he wanted his son to get into accountancy. "If I was to choose [a career] for him, I would ask him to probably look at accountancy because I think it's good to understand numbers," he explained.
"So when you have that kind of insight you can now become an entrepreneur and invest in business. I want him to focus on business. He is cool. He gets it. I have always kept boxing out. So he gets that. He knows that I'm just dad."
© InstagramIn an exclusive interview with GQ with the sweetest photos, Anthony echoed his feelings on JJ being his own person. "I want my son to be the best man that he can be, but I don’t want him to be compared to me."
In the same press interview, Anthony gave an insight into little JJ's personality, and he's a lot like his father. "He’s like me, though; when I lost, that’s how he is when he loses – we’re bad losers," Anthony admitted. "Honestly he throws a big tantrum, but I like seeing that side of him, because it means he cares."
Anthony's close relationship with JJ
In a joint post with Hugo Boss, Anthony Joshua shared a sweet insight into his relationship with JJ. Alongside rolling footage of the pro boxer and his adorable son, Anthony said: "The main thing is getting a little cuddle, that's nice. I want him to bond with me…It's also time for him to express and find out who he is. I'm trying to build a connection where we can both explore greatness and work together."
© InstagramHe went on to share what his perfect Father's Day would be saying it would be spent sitting in front of the fireplace watching his son run around, "that's what life's about", he said.
Who is JJ's mother?
Dance teacher and yoga instructor Nicole Osbourne is JJ's mother and she is no longer with her son's boxing father. The fitness fanatic met Anthony while at school in Watford.
Anthony waited six months to publicly announce the birth of his son and has kept his relationship with Nicole out of the limelight. Though the pair had split, at the time of JJ's birth the parents were living together in a flat in Finchley, North London.
