At the age of 34, boxing champ Anthony Joshua has been explaining why he’s still sharing space with his mom, boldly claiming that even a future partner would find it a tough sell to get him to move out.
He returned to his mom’s modest ex-council flat in 2017, despite raking in £15 million ($18m) from defeating Wladimir Klitschko. Joshua, fresh from a victory over Robert Helenius in August, is gearing up for his next bout in 2024.
In a candid interview with Louis Theroux, the British boxer opened up about his tight-knit family bonds which are central in his values. This informed his playful warning to potential girlfriends that they’ll have to contend with his mom, Yeta Odusanya because he intends to live with her.
Mounting a strong defense for his decision to still live with his mom, the two-time world champion cited cultural values of supporting parents and emphasized that it is of paramount importance to have his family in his life, according to the Daily Mail.
The down-to-earth boxing sensation explained that any girl who intends to settle down with him must be ready to settle down with his family as well.
Despite not being publicly linked to anyone, Joshua continues to maintain a low profile in his personal life, explaining that he does not live to please people’s expectations of him. He observed that fame comes with its challenges, adding that he is reluctant to open up about his personal life due to the scrutiny and pressure that comes with it.
He claimed there is often a tendency to dissect and create narratives from every statement he makes because of his stature. He pointed out that there is the lurking risk of being pulled down as a public figure.
Joshua was previously involved in an on-off relationship with Nicole Osbourne, the mother of his child and a former school friend, whom he once purchased a £500,000 flat for, situated near his residence.
In an interview after his comeback win over Jermaine Franklin, Joshua playfully dubbed presenter Laura Woods his “dream date.” Responding to Woods’ question about his career, Joshua said it has blossomed just like her.
