Joshua vs Klitschko: Short film of Anthony Joshua's rise to the top to be shown before world title fight

Picture exclusive: It was revealed on Tuesday that a short film documenting Joshua's rise to the top of his sport will be shown just before Joshua and Klitschko are to fight

The heavyweight boxer at home with his mother, Yeta (Lucozade Sport)

Anthony Joshua has revisited the journey that took him from Watford to Wembley Stadium, ahead of his world heavyweight title-fight with Wladimir Klitschko on April 29.

The 27-year-old currently boasts an unblemished career record having won all 18 of his previous fights, and will attempt to defend his IBF title as well as win the vacant WBA belt last held by Tyson Fury when he takes on Klitschko at the end of the month.

Joshua has now starred in a short film alongside his mother, Yeta Odusanya, that captures his rise and will be shown immediately before his showdown with Klitschko.

The film, produced by Lucozade Sport, starts with Joshua’s humble upbringings in North London and shows him excelling in athletics as well as football – his original preferred sport.

The boxer’s brushes with the law during his youth are also referenced. In 2009, Joshua was put on remand in Reading Prison before being made to wear an electronic tag on his release, while in 2011 he was arrested with cannabis in his car and given a 12-month community order.


 Joshua will be hoping to go 19-unbeaten against Klitschko (Lucozade Sport)
 (Lucozade)

“I could have seen it as a badge of honour. I could have taken the rap, seen it as a slap on the wrist and done it again. But I didn’t,” he said in an interview the following year.

“It wasn’t so much the actual charge that had the effect. It was all the grief afterwards, from my friends, from my family — especially my mum — and from boxing.”

Since then Joshua’s ascent to the top of his profession has been rapid, with his super-fight against Klitschko coming just four-years into his professional career.

Discussing the film, Joshua said: “I'm not usually one to look back but I liked the concept for the short film. It has been a real journey from growing up in Watford to fighting at Wembley Stadium.


 Joshua on the set of the short film (Lucozade Sport)
 (Getty)

“Everything in between; all the things I have done and all the people that have supported me, have made me who I am and this film illustrates that.

“I am excited to share my journey with my fans and I hope that it inspires the hunger in others."

Joshua is currently training in Sheffield, undergoing the final stages of his preparation for next weekend's fight.