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- Anthony Joshua mom: Yeta Odusanya
- Anthony Joshua dad: Robert Joshua
- Anthony Joshua son: JJ Joshua
- Anthony Joshua cousin: Ben Ileyemi
- Where is Anthony Joshua from?
Anthony Joshua emerged as one of the world's most prolific boxers while winning his first 22 professional matches, but that kind of success often doesn't happen without strong support from friends and family.
Joshua has leaned on his family throughout his rise, and he credits his son with changing his perspective on his life and career.
That perspective has certainly been useful in the more recent stages of Joshua's career, as he had to learn to deal with defeat after taking four losses in a span of 10 fights after such a dominant start to his career.
Here's a closer look at Joshua's family, from his mother to his young son, and his background.
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Anthony Joshua mom: Yeta Odusanya
Anthony Joshua's mother, Yeta Odusanya, was born in Nigeria before settling in the United Kingdom, where she welcomed her son with Robert Joshua.
"My mum has been there for me through thick and thin, always supporting me," Joshua said in 2022. "She is my number one."
Joshua praised his mother after cutting a vacation short to help his mother put together a charity event back home in the U.K. "I don't think there is anyone else on the planet who could get me to get my swim shorts off and back to the rain," Joshua said. "The beach volleyball will be put on pause for a few days."
Odusanya primarily raised Joshua as a single mother, as she split with Joshua's father when her son was only 12. Joshua's father then returned to Nigeria. Throughout his adult life, Joshua has continued to live with his mother even as his career has soared.
In 2024, Joshua told BBC Radio the real freedom he's gained from his success is being able to support his mom. "For me, that’s freedom knowing that no matter where I am in the world, my mum’s happy, she’s taken care of."
Odusanya remains an active and public supporter of her son as he continues his boxing career.
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Anthony Joshua dad: Robert Joshua
Anthony Joshua's father, Robert, split with Odusanya when their son was 12, but Joshua remains close to his dad. Robert was at his son's stunning loss to Andy Ruiz in 2019 and actually got into a confrontation with Joshua's promoter after the fight.
Robert, who is also British-Nigerian, returned to live in Nigeria after splitting with Odusanya. Despite some time apart, Joshua credits his father with passing on the energy and spirit that allowed him to become a world-class boxer.
"Definitely my dad. They called him ‘Big Josh’, ‘Big guy,'' Joshua told Bear Grylls in 2017. "He supported all the family. And even when it’s tough you just keep going, keep going.”
While Robert has generally kept a low profile outside of his skirmish at Madison Square Garden in 2019, he remains an important part of his son's life and career.
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Are Anthony Joshua's parents divorced?
Anthony Joshua's parents divorced when he was 12. His father returned to Nigeria full-time, so he was largely raised by his mother from that point.
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Anthony Joshua son: JJ Joshua
Anthony Joshua welcomed a son, Joseph, in 2015. Joshua has called his son "JJ" since he was born.
Joshua largely keeps his son out of the public eye, and he told BBC Radio in 2024 that he only rarely talks about boxing with his son and won't encourage him to become a boxer.
"If I was to choose for him, I would ask him to probably look at accountancy because I think it’s good to understand numbers," Joshua said, explaining that he just wants JJ to be "the best man that he can be."
Joshua has said boxing taught him to believe in himself, but he credits the birth of his son with adjusting his perspective on life as a whole. "What has changed by having my son is that now I think about the future — the pitfalls of life, what I’ve seen, how to be a better man," Joshua told GQ in 2018.
Who is JJ Joshua's mom?
Anthony Joshua welcomed JJ with dance instructor Nicole Osbourne, someone he had known since high school, but the two later parted ways.
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Anthony Joshua cousin: Ben Ileyemi
Anthony Joshua was first introduced to boxing in 2007 by cousin Ben Ileyemi, who was a boxer himself. Ileyemi made his debut on the same day as Joshua in 2013, though his own professional career was brief. Ileyemi won twice in 2013 before finishing the year with a draw.
"We always push each other in the gym, even in sparring," Ileyemi said when he and Joshua were just breaking into the professional ranks in 2013.
Ileyemi became a full-time security guard for Joshua in 2015, handling overzealous fans and making sure his cousin can keep his complete focus on boxing.
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Anthony Joshua ethnicity
Both of Anthony Joshua's parents are originally from Nigeria, and Joshua himself went to live in Nigeria for a portion of his childhood. Joshua was born in Watford, Hetfordshire, England and is British-Nigerian
Where is Anthony Joshua from?
While Anthony Joshua has strong Nigerian roots and even lived in the country for a portion of his childhood, he was born just north of London and has lived in North London throughout his adult life.
English (US)