World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has made a significant donation to fund Amateur Boxing in Britain so that the country doesn’t lose the next generation of fighters.
Boxing wasn’t listed as one of the sports which would get a £300m bailout in November, following which many clubs had to close down operations.
The 31-year-old has now given a six-figure sum to the amateur boxing federations of England, Wales and Scotland.
“Without grassroots boxing, there is no Anthony Joshua. The doors to these gyms are always open to any kid from any background,” Joshua, who turned professional after winning Olympic gold at London 2012, told BBC sports editor Dan Roan.
“If I was 18 again and I was in a position where the gym was closed and it might not open, I would be devastated.
“It’s not just financial help. I will often try and motivate these kids by being among them, bringing my belts down and training with them.
“I believe in the next 10-15 years, you are going to see the leaders of tomorrow, but I hope it’s not 25-30 years because we have lost this next generation.”
The funding is expected to be provided only to the clubs which are in dire need.
Gethin Jenkins, chairman of England Boxing, said: “We are delighted and we thank Anthony for this much-needed financial support and for drawing attention to the role and support the clubs offer in their local communities and with it the need for greater government support to grassroots boxing clubs.”
Even though the government didn’t include boxing in its bailout list last month, Sport England has already helped local clubs with £2.5m funding since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joshua became the world champion for the first time when he defeated American Charles Martin in 2016 to win the IBF title. Currently, all the heavyweight titles are occupied by Joshua and compatriot Tyson Fury combined. While Joshua has the IBF, WBA and WBO titles to his name, Fury is the WBC Champion. Joshua is confident that the duo can meet in a unification bout between themselves next year.
