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Anthony Joshua Sent Abuse By Vile Trolls After Posting Photo Of Him In A Mosque

Anthony Joshua Sent Abuse By Vile Trolls After Posting Photo Of Him In A Mosque

Some people really need to get a life.

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

IBF world heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua has been subjected to a barrage of horrible abuse from online trolls after he posted a photo of himself praying in a mosque in Dubai.

The keyboard warriors, who definitely wouldn't say this to his face, responded to his post with comments such as: "disappointed, won't be watching you again. Your religion is full of hate, paedos and violence" and "Islam has ruined Arab countries, now they want to bring it to our beautiful Christian countries and ruin ours too? BYE!"

The rest of them are so poorly spelt I can't even be bothered trying to translate.

Others told Joshua that they would be unfollowing, which I'm sure he lost sleep over...

There were also plenty of fans who posted to defend Joshua's right to post a photo of himself in a mosque.

Despite the pictures, Joshua has previously said, "I don't have a preferred religion: I'd have to do research. I was born a Christian but as I've grown into my own man I don't attach myself to a religion; 100 percent I have faith. Then it's locking into what suits me."

All of this comes before Joshua's heavily anticipated fight with Wladimir Klitschko on 29 April, when Joshua will try to add the WBA 'super' belt to his IBF title.

Joshua's history

Joshua was born to Nigerian parents in Watford, England. He is the cousin of professional boxer Ben lleyemi, who also boasts an undefeated record. Joshua made a relatively late start to the sport, when, aged 18, his cousin encouraged him to give boxing a try.

The pair made their professional debut together in 2013.

Prior to that 27-year-old Joshua, who is 1.98m, represented Great Britain in the 2012 London Olympics where he picked up a gold for super-heavyweight boxing. He also won the 2009 and 2010 Haringey Box Cup.


Credit: PA

He was offered £50,000 to turn professional but turned it down. Speaking about his decision later, he said: "Turning down that £50,000 was easy. I didn't take up the sport for money, I want to win medals."

He has a seriously impressive record, winning every one of his 18 fights by knockout.

In February last year, Joshua beat IBF Heavyweight Champion Charles Martin to pick up the title, which he has held since then: defending it against Dominic Breazeale who he knocked out in the seventh round and Eric Molina who was knocked out in the third round (and was really shit).

Joshua Vs Klitschko

It was officially announced the pair would go head to head on 11 December last that the two would fight, after Joshua battered Molina. Previously, the two almost met last November when Klitschko's fight with Tyson Fury fell through, though a deal couldn't be made in time and Joshua faced Molina instead.

The long-anticipated match is set to be one of the most explosive fights of the year. Tickets for the event are flying off the shelves, with Sky Sports reporting that they have broken previous records with more than 80,000 tickets sold already and the second batch selling out in less than an hour.

The event has proved so popular that organisers are now pushing for a 90,000 capacity extension, so more of us can get our arses down there.

Who will you be backing?

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Anthony Joshua