Already the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua added another title to his collection at Buckingham Palace on Thursday — his OBE.
Would he have preferred to be awarded Deontay Wilder’s WBC belt? Absolutely, but the British boxer looked rather chuffed as he received the medal from Prince Charles for his services to sport.
Joshua, who became the Olympic champion at London 2012 and defeated Alexander Povetkin in his last fight in September to retain his three belts, praised the impact boxing can have on communities.
“In boxing you meet people, you inspire them and they do the same. You never know where it could take someone. That’s important,” Joshua said, before posing outside of the Palace alongside members of the Queen’s Guard.
🥊💂🏻♀️🎖 pic.twitter.com/TxpJ0m2Whz
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) December 20, 2018
The 29-year-old will be ringside at the O2 Arena on Saturday as Dillian Whyte takes on British rival Dereck Chisora, in a bout that could decide Joshua’s next opponent.
Although Joshua has said a unification fight Wilder remains his No.1 priority, the American could be out of reach as a rematch with Tyson Fury looks likely.
Joshua has Wembley booked for April 13 and if Wilder is unavailable, the winner of Whyte-Chisora could fill in.