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Anthony Joshua Still Lives In A Council House With His Mum

Anthony Joshua Still Lives In A Council House With His Mum

It is estimated that the fight will earn him big bucks.

James Dawson

James Dawson

On Saturday night Anthony Joshua will face off against Wladimir Klitschko, as he defends his IBF heavyweight title in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.

It is estimated that the fight will earn him big bucks. But in a recent interview with the Mirror, Joshua revealed that despite now being a multi-million pound fighter, he remains as down to earth as ever.

The 6'5'' heavyweight boxer famously turned down £50,000 to turn professional straight away, following his gold-medal winning triumph at the 2012 London Olympics. But after he finally made the move to pro, his first instincts were to splash the cash on the people closest to him.

Credit: YouTube

One of the first things he bought was his mum's council flat in Golders Green, North London, where he still lives with his social worker mother - despite having bought a £500,000 penthouse in nearby Finchley for Nicole Osbourne, the mother of his one-year-old son, Joseph.

But, having found boxing at the age of 17, it could have all gone awry for Joshua, when he was caught speeding while wearing his Team GB tracksuit.

After searching his Mercedes, police found cannabis in his kitbag and he was charged him with possession. He narrowly escaped prison, but was sentenced to a 12-month suspended sentence and 100 hours of community service.

Reflecting on the incident, Joshua told the Mirror: "In a way I'm glad it happened, because it woke me up.

Credit: PA Images

"It wasn't so much the actual charge that had the effect. It was all the grief from my friends, my family - especially my mum - and from boxing."

Now, ahead of the big fight, the Watford native's nutrition consists of packed lunches of chicken, beef, pasta and boiled eggs in plastic boxes.

He recently returned to the scene of his first foray into boxing by visiting Finchley ABC boxing club.

While there, the 27-year-old met up with the man who took him under his wing, boxing trainer Sean Murphy - and repaid his coach's faith with a brilliant gesture. Joshua surprised Murphy with a brand new car...

Credit: BBC Three

It's not just any car either, but a BMW M6 which also includes a personalised number plate.

Joshua, who has had 18 professional fights compared to Klitschko's 68, has been talking tough ahead of Saturday's contest, telling a press conference: "If I couldn't box I wouldn't be here. I may not be the best but what I do good, I do brilliantly. That's got me here.

"If he claims to be the better boxer so be it, but when I start punching you in your jaw, you best stand up to the power. This is just another stepping stone towards greatness."

Credit: PA Images

If you want to get inside Joshua's head, there's probably no better way than through his music. He recently teamed up with Beats by Dr Dre to release a work out playlist ahead of the fight.

Here's what he's listening to as he prepares to defend his title...

'Who Gon Stop Me' - Jay Z & Kanye West

'Holy Grail' - Jay-Z ft. Justin Timberlake

'500 Miles' - The Proclaimers

'Hometown Glory' - Adele High Contrast Remix

'Clubbed to Death' - Rob Dougan (Matrix remix)

'Eye of the Tiger' - Survivor

'Bound 4 Da Reload' - Oxide & Neutrino

'Promesses' - Tchami ft. Kaleem Taylor

'Original Nuttah' - Shy FX

'If I Can't' - 50 Cent

'Still D.R.E.' - Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dog

'Shut Up' - Stormzy

'Talking the Hardest' - Giggs

'Hate Me Now' - Nas ft. Puff Daddy

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: Anthony Joshua