When AJ Met His 18-Year-Old "Heir" - And Threw Fake Punches Like a Dad at Christmas

By Lewis Barnett 2 July, 2025 5 mins read 32 Views

God, the awkwardness was beautiful.

Picture this: Anthony Joshua, two-time heavyweight champ who's been getting his face rearranged by Daniel Dubois replays for months, meets Leo Atang - an 18-year-old kid everyone's calling his "successor." What does AJ do? Throws air punches at the teenager within literal seconds of shaking hands.

I'm not making this up. The whole thing happened at some Matchroom rebranding event (because apparently boxing promotions rebrand now like tech startups), and honestly? It was the most human thing I've seen from Joshua in ages. Just pure, unfiltered "let me break this weird tension by pretending to fight you" energy.

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The Kid Who's Supposed to Save British Boxing

Leo Atang is 18. Eighteen! When I was 18, I was failing my driving test for teh third time and eating cereal for dinner. This kid's got Eddie Hearn throwing around phrases like "the future of British boxing" and scheduling him for seven fights a year.

Poor Leo looked absolutely starstruck when AJ started shadowboxing at him. Can you imagine? Your childhood hero - the guy whose poster was probably on your bedroom wall - suddenly starts throwing phantom hooks at your head while photographers snap away.

The kid handled it well though. Posted the whole thing on Instagram with "The past, present and the future" as the caption. (Frank Bruno was there too, completing this weird boxing time-travel moment.)

AJ's "Executive Decisions" Era

Here's where it gets interesting - and slightly depressing if you're an AJ fan.

Anthony's talking like a man who knows his expiration date. "I've not got all these years in front of me like the main man here," he said, nodding toward Atang. Translation: I'm 35, got knocked out cold four months ago, and this teenager is literally being marketed as my replacement.

He took a full year off after the Dubois disaster. A YEAR. In heavyweight boxing, that's like dog years - you come back either refreshed or completely shot. No middle ground.

"The minute I come back, you know I'll come back with a bang rather than just keep rolling," Joshua promised. But honestly? That sounds like something every aging fighter says right before they get sparked out by someone half their age.

From Rugby League to World Champion (Wait, What?)

Here's the crazy part about Atang - he was playing rugby league as a winger until recently. A WINGER. Now he's a five-time national boxing champion who knocked out some Korean kid in the first round at the World Under-19 Championships last year.

Eddie Hearn's practically vibrating with excitement about this kid. "Remember the name," he kept saying at the press conference. "This is the future of British boxing and the future of the heavyweight division."

The pressure on this teenager must be insane. Everyone's watching his pro debut this Saturday in Manchester (on the Catterall vs Eubank undercard, if you're keeping track), expecting him to somehow fill the void left by... well, by AJ's declining powers.

That Moment When Your Hero Becomes Your Predecessor

The whole encounter felt like watching a changing of the guard in real time.

AJ telling Atang "The world is yours" wasn't just encouragement - it felt like a benediction. Like he was officially passing something on, even though he's not ready to admit he's done yet.

But that Instagram post from Leo? "The past, present and the future" with him standing between Frank Bruno and Anthony Joshua? That's not accidental positioning. That's a kid who knows exactly what's being asked of him.

The boxing world moves fast. One day you're the future, then you're the present, then suddenly there's an 18-year-old from York standing in your spot while photographers capture the moment for posterity.

Joshua's not finished - he made that clear. But watching him throw those playful punches at his supposed heir? It felt like watching someone who's already started saying goodbye, even if he doesn't know it yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a beginner train in boxing?

Beginners will benefit from two to three sessions of boxing a week. Allowing time for rest, recovery and relaxation between workouts is important. As you get more comfortable with the sport and gain fitness, you can increase the intensity and frequency of your training.

How do I choose the right size and type of boxing glove?

Size and type depend on weight, level of protection needed, and the activity that you are engaging in. Gloves are weighed in ounces. For general training, beginners may start with 12oz or even 14oz gloves. They then progress to heavier gloves during sparring.

How important are recovery sessions in boxing?

In boxing, recovery is crucial as it helps your body heal and become stronger. Recovery is aided by proper rest, stretching exercises, sufficient sleep, hydration as well as a nutritious and balanced diet. Ignoring recovery may lead to injury, overtraining and decreased performance.

How can I protect myself when boxing?

Defense in boxing involves several techniques, including maintaining a solid guard with your hands up, using footwork to maintain distance, and utilizing head movement such as slips, rolls, and weaves to evade punches. As important as learning your offensive moves, it is also crucial to learn defensive skills.

Statistics

Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
Surveys reveal that close to 40% of new boxers join the sport for self-defense purposes rather than for competition or fitness.
Despite the stereotype that boxing is a young person's sport, approximately 20% of all beginners are over the age of 40.
Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
Approximately 50% of beginner boxers drop out within the first six months, highlighting the importance of sustaining motivation and setting realistic goals.
On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
Cardiovascular fitness improvements can be seen after just 12 weeks of consistent boxing training.
Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.

External Links

How To

How to Stand Correctly in a Boxing Stance

The foundation of boxing begins with a proper stance. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, your non-dominant foot forward. Your back foot should be angled at 45 degrees. Also, distribute your weight evenly. You can protect your chin by bending your knees, keeping your elbows close, and holding your gloves high. For agility, stay on your balls. You should have a relaxed body that is ready to move quickly and throw punches.