Anthony Joshua awarded OBE by Royal Family

Anthony Joshua

Heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has been
honoured with Order of the British Empire (OBE) at Buckingham Palace.

The OBE is Britain’s order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the Civil service

Joshua, who won an Olympic gold medal at London 2012 and is the current IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight world champion, was presented with an OBE for his services to sport by the Prince of Wales on Thursday.

The 29-year-old said boxing “helps people from different backgrounds” as he spoke of his desire to take on Deontay Wilder at Wembley on April 13.

Joshua, who had to watch on as WBC holder Wilder and Tyson Fury fought out a thrilling draw in Los Angeles at the start of December, said: “Every fighter is my biggest challenge. They’re definitely big challenges and I would love to fight them in the next 12 months. I would love to.”

Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

He added that it was important to fight them within the next 12 months so he “can have a chance of becoming undisputed champion”.