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Joshua reveals punch he’ll never forget

Former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has disclosed the punch that stands out among the many hard blows he’s endured in his boxing career.

Despite facing formidable opponents like Andy Ruiz Jr, sharing 24 rounds with world champion Oleksandr Usyk, engaging in a fierce battle with Wladimir Klitschko where he was hurt multiple times, and getting clipped by Russian dynamo Alexander Povetkin, Joshua revealed that the punch he’ll never forget was one he received during his amateur days.

In a recent interview with Men’s Health, when asked about the most painful blow he’s experienced in the ring, none of the aforementioned opponents were mentioned. Instead, Joshua recounted a punch he took during his amateur career that left a lasting impression.

He said, “I remember a tough fight in 2011, the final of the World Championships against a fighter from Azerbaijan. He had knocked out everyone to get to the final, and we had a real intense battle. He was incredibly strong. I was inexperienced, making foolish mistakes, and I walked right into one of his punches. It was like two forces colliding. Boom! I’ll never forget that punch. I lost by just one point. So, it was a mix of emotional and physical pain.”

The opponent Joshua is referring to is Mahammadrasul Majidov, an accomplished Azerbaijani amateur boxer who also ventured into professional boxing under the guidance of Eddie Hearn. However, he did not achieve the same level of success as the British-Nigerian Joshua.

While Joshua has faced his fair share of powerful punchers, should a fight with Deontay Wilder ever materialize, the American’s knockout power is renowned, and Majidov’s punch may become the second hardest ever landed on Joshua.

Despite ongoing discussions throughout the year regarding a potential clash between Joshua and Wilder, it appears that talks are currently at a complete standstill.

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