Anthony Joshua provides financial support as boxing gyms in UK face bleak future

Heavyweight champion makes substantial donation that will be distributed to clubs via England Boxing, Welsh Boxing and Boxing Scotland

Anthony Joshua lands a punch on Kubrat Pulev during the British fighter's victory at Wembley Arena in December 2020.

Anthony Joshua celebrates winning his fight against Bulgarian fighter Kubrat Pulev.

nthony Joshua celebrates winning his fight. Reuters

Anthony Joshua celebrates his victory.

Pulev feels the power of Joshua's punch.

Anthony Joshua, left, throws a punch at challenger Pulev.

Joshua celebrates after beating challenger Kubrat Pulev at Wembley Arena.

Joshua goes on the attack.

Joshua looks across as challenger Pulev takes a standing count.

Anthony Joshua in action against Kubrat Pulev.

British world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has made a substantial donation to boxing gyms as businesses face permanent closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Numerous amateur gyms have been forced to shut temporarily and Joshua is concerned that many amateur boxers will have to hang up their gloves if some were to close permanently.

Joshua is the latest high-profile boxing personality to voice his fears following that of his promoter Eddie Hearn and Northern Ireland's former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton.

Joshua, who retained his world title belts with a ninth-round stoppage of Kubrat Pulev earlier this month, has made his donation to clubs via the three home nations federations.

"Boxing helped shape me, both physically and mentally," said Joshua.

"It is no secret that without boxing and the family created around my amateur gym, my life could have been very different.

"The sport has given me a lot and I want to help highlight the issues affecting grass roots clubs and do what I can to keep the lights on for those most in need.

"I am not using this as an opportunity to criticise government for its lack of funding towards boxing – these are unprecedented times – however I would like to use my platform to respectfully ask them to rethink their stance.

"Without support we will lose community hubs and potentially the stars of tomorrow."

The funding will be distributed to clubs via England Boxing, Welsh Boxing and Boxing Scotland. The BBC reported that it was a six-figure sum.

Kevin Bell, chairman of Boxing Scotland, praised Joshua for not forgetting his roots.

"It is to Anthony's great credit that he recognises the impact of Covid-19 on amateur boxing, from loss of training among boxers to the inability to host shows that sustain clubs financially," said Bell.