Anthony Joshua (28-4) commands a massive global following, with fans eager to learn every detail about his life. The 36-year-old, already a two-time unified heavyweight champion, has seen and achieved it all, but now he seems more focused on exciting fights than adding more accolades. With that in mind, Joshua is ready to make his return to the ring.

He is set to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, in a much-anticipated heavyweight showdown. The bout has only heightened interest in both his professional career and personal life. With the December 19 clash approaching, here’s everything you need to know about Anthony Joshua, including his ethnicity, nationality, real name, and more.

What is Anthony Joshua’s real name? 

Anthony Joshua’s full name is Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, with his middle names, Oluwafemi and Olaseni, reflecting his Nigerian heritage, specifically from the Yoruba people. Although he is best known in the boxing world by his first and last name, his full name is a tribute to his Nigerian roots, something he proudly carries throughout his life and career.

Growing up in the UK, Joshua attended Kings Langley Secondary School, where he stood out in both football and athletics, even setting a school record in the 100-meter sprint. Friends and teachers affectionately called him ‘Femi,’ a nickname derived from his middle name, Oluwafemi.

Is Anthony Joshua Nigerian or British? Ethnicity and Yoruba ancestry

Anthony Joshua is proudly of Nigerian descent, with his roots tracing back to the Yoruba people, among whom he holds an aristocratic lineage. Interestingly, he spent part of his childhood in Nigeria, attending Mayflower School in Ikenne, before returning to the UK at the age of 12 following his parents’ divorce.

His mother is Nigerian, while his father is of Nigerian and Irish ancestry. Even so, despite being a British national, Joshua consistently honors his Nigerian heritage through charitable initiatives and a tattoo of the African continent on his right shoulder, with Nigeria prominently highlighted.

Throughout his career, even as he has risen to global sports stardom, Joshua has never distanced himself from his Nigerian identity. He has actively supported charitable causes in Nigeria, including providing essential supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his tattoo stands as a lasting testament to his pride in his roots