Anthony Joshua’s first opponent Emanuele Leo hasn’t stepped foot in a boxing ring since being knocked out by the Brit in 2013.
Leo got here into the struggle with an unblemished 8-0 report however was blasted out within the opening stanza by a vicious flurry from AJ.
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The Watford powerhouse was in motion for the primary time as a professional after successful gold on the London Olympics one 12 months prior.
Nonetheless, Leo insists he knew nothing of his opponent when he accepted the decision.
“I acquired to know boxing after I was 23 and I had by no means adopted it earlier than, and to be sincere, I stored not following it,” he informed Sky Sports activities in 2020.
“I beloved practising the game and understanding the distinction between practising boxing and being a boxer.
“So once they informed me about Joshua and The O2, I stated sure, however in fact I used to be asking myself who’s he? And the place is it?
“I acquired to London and met Anthony, a very well mannered and delicate man, however he had a number of execs following him, together with health coaches, masseurs, trainers and so on…
“I did not benefit from the monetary safety that will enable me to coach solely.”
The crushing defeat opened Leo’s eyes to his ceiling as an expert and he selected to not compete once more.
“I began boxing late and progressed in a short time, however I burned out within the final stage of my journey, as I lastly understood the huge distinction between boxing in Italy and in the remainder of the world…
“Now I am a steelworker and I am in love, I really feel good and I am certain I can do higher.”
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Three years after beating in his skilled debut, Joshua grew to become a world heavyweight champion by snatching the IBF strap from Charles Martin through second-round KO.
He would later add the WBA and WBO belts to his assortment by beating Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker earlier than dropping all three titles to Andy Ruiz Jr in a shock upset in 2019.
Joshua regained the belts in a direct rematch however then misplaced them once more to Oleksandr Usyk two years later.
The Brit was given one other shot at heavyweight gold in September when he challenged the brand new IBF champion, Daniel Dubois.
Nonetheless, Joshua was flattened within the fifth spherical and his subsequent steps are actually unclear.