Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury publicly claims that Joshua is withdrawing from their planned 2026 fight. The dispute principally concerns the venue: Joshua's team maintains that his contract requires a fight in the United Kingdom, while commercial parties are pushing for Madison Square Garden in New York.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Before his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia, Joshua receives a letter from the brother of a man executed by Saudi authorities, asking him to denounce human rights violations and the use of sport as an image-building tool.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After his second defeat by Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua picks up two of the champion's belts, throws them out of the ring, leaves and then returns to the ring, and delivers a lengthy emotional speech that provokes a strong public reaction.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

At a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Watford, Joshua reads a statement calling, among other things, for people to stop spending money in 'their shops and economies' and to invest in Black-owned businesses. Edited clips circulate and he is accused of racism.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The choice of Saudi Arabia for the Joshua–Ruiz rematch attracts strong criticism from Amnesty International, which sees it as an opportunity for the kingdom to improve its image despite human rights violations, the Khashoggi affair and the war in Yemen.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Boxer Eddie Chambers publishes material showing that a message sent from Anthony Joshua's verified Instagram account called him a 'disgrace to the superior black race'. The wording sparks a racism controversy.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Attribution

Directly implicated

While a member of the British amateur boxing team, Anthony Joshua is accused of possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply after cannabis is found in his car. He subsequently receives a non-custodial sentence including 100 hours of unpaid work and a twelve-month community order.

Attribution

Personally implicated