Boxing star and 2012 Olympic heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua gave his first coach, Sean Murphy, a memorable surprise by attending his birthday celebration. Joshua shared a photo from the event on his Instagram account.

Murphy not only helped Joshua claim numerous titles and Olympic gold but also played a pivotal role in steering him away from the dangerous streets of London. Joshua has often acknowledged that joining Murphy’s boxing club was life-changing.

“When I was younger I was partying, I was getting in trouble, I had the court cases. That was my reckless days when I was smoking. It was at my first boxing club where I learned discipline. How to forget your ego and listen to instructions if you want to achieve things,” Joshua told the BBC in 2017.

Although the pair parted ways in 2021 after Joshua’s loss to Oleksandr Usyk, the boxer continues to support Murphy and his first gym. Joshua has gifted Murphy a new car and financed renovations for the club’s facilities.

Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua might challenge for the WBC interim title after the sanctioning body approved a match between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has announced that the victor of the Zhang-Kabayel fight might face Joshua, giving the British-Nigerian a new road to heavyweight greatness without quick rematches with Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, or Oleksandr Usyk.

“The WBC has received a formal request to sanction this fight for the interim title, and we will accept it,” Sulaiman told The Independent. “We’ve been clear and transparent in supporting the best possible matchups, especially in the heavyweight division.”

Joshua, who suffered a knockout defeat to Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September, had been linked with a rematch, but the IBF champion is now set to defend his title against Joseph Parker in February.

The WBC’s decision comes as Fury and Usyk prepare for their December 21 unification showdown, following Usyk’s unanimous victory over Fury in May. Usyk’s subsequent vacation of the IBF belt led to Dubois being elevated to full champion status.

“For the winner on December 21, there are many options,” Sulaiman added.

“Whether it’s a trilogy fight, a rematch for undisputed status, or another high-level event, we want to ensure the champion remains active while delivering sensational fights.”

The opportunity represents a potential fast track back to world honours for the 35-year-old Joshua, with No.2-ranked Kabayel set to face No.4-ranked Zhang, who sit either side of the often-avoided Martin Bakole in the WBC rankings.

Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua may soon have a chance to fight for the WBC interim title. This development follows the WBC’s approval of a bout between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel for the interim belt, as confirmed by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.

“The WBC has received a formal request to sanction this fight for the interim title, and we will accept it,” Sulaiman stated. He emphasized the WBC’s commitment to securing top-tier matchups, particularly in the heavyweight division.

The winner of the Zhang-Kabayel fight could face Joshua, offering the British-Nigerian a new path back to heavyweight prominence. This route bypasses immediate rematches against top contenders like Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, or Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua, 35, is seeking redemption after a knockout loss to Dubois in September at Wembley. While speculation about a rematch lingered, Dubois is now focused on defending his IBF title against Joseph Parker in February.

This WBC decision aligns with the broader heavyweight landscape, as Fury and Usyk prepare for a historic unification bout on December 21. Usyk’s previous victory over Fury in May, coupled with his vacating of the IBF belt, elevated Dubois to full champion status.

For Joshua, a potential showdown with Zhang or Kabayel presents a fast-tracked route to reclaiming world honors, revitalizing his career in the highly competitive heavyweight division.

Fierce rival Dillian Whyte insists Anthony Joshua still has plenty to offer in the ring despite his devastating fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Whyte, who has a long-standing rivalry with Joshua dating back to their 2015 British title fight, backed the former two-time world champion to bounce back.

“He’s still got a lot left in the tank, and he’s still a big draw,” Whyte said. “As you can see in the fight, he’s still a big puncher. He had Dubois going before Dubois landed the finishing blow.

“It’s hard to say, but he’s young, he’s strong, and he looks in amazing shape. He’s still got a lot of fight left in him.”

Joshua’s defeat to Dubois at Wembley Stadium saw the younger fighter claim the IBF heavyweight title in emphatic style. However, Whyte cautioned against overreacting to a single defeat, especially in the unpredictable world of heavyweight boxing.

“People put too much emphasis on a defeat in heavyweight boxing,” Whyte added.

“That’s why a lot of fights don’t happen. They don’t get made because people focus too much on win, lose, or draw, instead of enjoying two top guys fighting each other. That wasn’t happening a few years ago.”

While talk of a potential rematch with Dubois has surfaced, Joshua is unlikely to return to action as early as February, when Dubois is slated to make his first title defence.

Trainer Tony Sims, who worked with Joshua in the early stages of his professional career, believes the former champion’s next logical step should be a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury, regardless of Fury’s result against Oleksandr Usyk in December.

“I think the younger ones now, leave them alone. Boxing evolves, like anything in life. The young ones come through. Joshua’s 34, going on 35. He’s been a great champion. You’ve got a young, hungry fighter in Daniel Dubois, and he’s taken that title,” Sims said.

“But the obvious fight is still Tyson Fury versus Joshua, whether Tyson wins or loses against Usyk. That’s still a massive fight. Both of them are older now, but it’s a great fight for both of them and one the fans want to see.”

For Joshua, the road back may be long, but voices like Whyte and Sims suggest his career is far from over.