Anthony Joshua makes huge charitable donation to keep amateur boxing alive in UK amid coronavirus pandemic

ANTHONY JOSHUA is digging deep into his own pockets to keep British amateur boxing alive – and jab some sense into the Government.

The coronavirus pandemic has now twice forced clubs all over England, Scotland and Wales to close.

Joshua is digging deep into his own pockets to help keep amateur boxing clubs – like his Finchley ABC – aliveJoshua has paid to help keep clubs alive after they were not afforded financial backing from the Government

Joshua famously plied his trade at Finchley ABC where he was trained by Sean Murphy

And AJ knows from personal experience that these sweat boxes are much more to their local communities than places to exercise.

The 31-year-old WBA, WBO and IBF champ was a bricklayer with a growing criminal record before Sean Murphy at Finchley ABC got him on the straight and narrow.

And now – via Team GB – he is a 2012 Olympic legend and unified heavyweight champ still willing to give back.

Joshua said: “Boxing helped shape me, both physically and mentally.

“It is no secret that without boxing and the family created around my amateur gym, my life could have been very different. 

“The sport has given me a lot and I want to help highlight the issues affecting grassroots clubs and do what I can to keep the lights on for those most in need. 

“I would like to thank the Federations of England, Wales and Scotland for their support in helping facilitate how the financial aid reaches the most affected clubs in their regions and also agreeing to make sure the money goes directly to clubs.”

In November the Government revealed a £300million bailout plan for 11 British sports to fight coronavirus.

Joshua was trained by Sean Murphy, pictured, at Finchley ABC

Joshua knows amateur boxing clubs are more than just places to exercise to the local communities they serve

Horse racing, motorsports and badminton made the cut but amateur boxing was ignored.

AJ, whose Under Armour sponsors are adding to his cash injection with a matching amount of kit, insists his donation is not a dig at them.

But he hopes being able to highlight the value boxing clubs bring to some of Britain’s most deprived areas forces them to reconsider.

He said: “I am not using this as an opportunity to criticise the Government for its lack of funding towards boxing, these are unprecedented times.

“However I would like to use my platform to respectfully ask them to rethink their stance. 

“Without support we will lose community hubs and potentially the stars of tomorrow.”

Gethin Jenkins, Chairman of England Boxing, thanked Joshua for the donation.

He said: “We are delighted to receive and we thank Anthony for this much needed financial support and for drawing attention to the role and support the clubs offer in their local communities and with it the need for greater Government support to grass root boxing clubs.

“This is all the more so, given that 40 per cent of our clubs operate in the highest 20 per cent of marginalised areas in the country.

“We will announce how clubs can access this funding in the coming days.

“We know it will be gratefully received by the membership so thanks once again for this vital support.”