Anthony Joshua reveals his biggest fear – it’s a farmyard animal
The 6ft 6in, 17-stone world heavyweight champion gets spooked when he’s confronted by the animals in a new show.
AJ – who defends his title against Carlos Takam in Cardiff on Saturday – makes the shock admission to Bear Grylls as they head out for a two-day mission at a Royal Marines training area.
He says: “This is the scariest thing I’ve ever done. “I could end up running into a sheep or a sheep could attack me.
“This is the scariest thing I’ve ever done” Anthony Joshua “The sheep here look like they are from the ghetto!” Watford-born Joshua, 28, who has never even slept outside, also has a list of other things he’s not keen on.
“I hate bugs,” he reveals. “I don’t like heights really. I’m a real city boy. I’m king of my domain and right now I’m out of my comfort zone.”.
His dislike of heights is tested as Bear swoops in to pick him up for the mission in a helicopter, and the pair are carried off clinging onto a rope ladder.
They head to one of the UK’s most notorious climbing faces, the 700ft exposed rock of Commando Ridge in Cornwall, where the Royal Marines have trained for decades.
AJ must cross a gorge by pulling himself along a rope suspended 200ft above sea level and abseil down a terrifying sheer vertical rock face. He even bids goodbye to his mum and supporters just in case he doesn’t make it.
But AJ’s nightmare doesn’t stop there. He has to chow down on a maggot and bone marrow from a fly-covered rotten sheep’s leg.
Even though AJ looks less than impressed as he nibbles on one of the insects, he jokes afterwards: “When I’m at home I might ask for maggot and chips and see how that sits with me!” As for the fried marrow, he grimaces: “Definitely not my first, second or third choice.”.
Despite being worth an estimated £16.7million, the boxer still lives with his social worker mum Yeta in Golders Green, north London. He laughs: “It’s two bedrooms, one bathroom – but it’s nice.
We’ve got a lick of white paint in there, some spotlights. We try to bring it to life.” Mother and son have become closer since his 19-month-old son Joseph was born.
He says: “I haven’t got the motherly instinct, I’m busy, I’m focussed. I don’t want to change, I’m very regimented and I thought ‘Oh my God, it’s all going to change!’ “But it’s been a blessing.
Before, it was all about me – I lived for myself. But then when I had my son, I started realising there is someone who is going to be here after I’m gone.
“That’s what he taught me, build something that they will respect and appreciate when I’m not here any more.” AJ also spars with Bear as he reveals why he got into boxing – because the gym was somewhere anyone could go without prejudice.
“There was a community in the gym and it doesn’t matter your race, your religion, your body type, there was space for everyone,” he says. “I ended up having my first fight at 19.
I knocked him out and I thought it was easy.” Joshua teaches Bear the art of the “face-off”. He explains: “It’s letting your opponent know that there is no fear.
“I look beyond the eyes, I’m looking into your soul. Defend, encounter, defend, encounter – but don’t switch off.”.
He also reveals he changed his kit to all-white in honour of Muhammad Ali, adding: “He was one of the greatest dancers, he had finesse when he boxed.” After getting in trouble with the police as a teenager, boxing helped AJ turn his life around.
He says: “The people in the gym really gave me guidance and wisdom. It really helped me change my outlook on what I thought was respect.
“Now I’ve unified the heavyweight division, the hard work begins – so if people think that it’s time to enjoy, they got it wrong. “They’re going to see the real disciplined AJ now.
We’re just getting started. I think that my apprenticeship is done. I’m going to take over.”.