Ekundayo 'enjoys' training with Anthony Joshua

By Akeem Lawal 

NIGERIAN boxer, Larry Ekundayo is delighted to share the same gym with World Heavyweight Boxing champion, Anthony Joshua at the Finchley and District Amateur Boxing Club in United Kingdom, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) European champion, who is hoping to bring his title defense to Nigeria, is also listed by the Commonwealth Boxing Council as one of the contenders for the Commonwealth Welterweight title held by Chris Jenkins.

In a chat with Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com, the 38-year-old, who defeated Nathan Hardy in his last fight at the York Hall, Bethnal Green in London in February, said training at the same gym with AJ is an amazing experience.

“I had a wonderful time training in the same gym with AJ. Even though we did not spar together because we were in two different weight categories, he is always an inspiration,” Ekundayo told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com on Wednesday.

The Natural, as he is fondly called also uploaded after-training pictures with the the two-time unified world heavyweight champion on his Instagram account with the caption, “It’s great training alongside my brother today Anthony Joshua. Massive thank you to uncle Foleys Wisdom and the boys for having me today.”

Joshua on the other hand is currently preparing to fight Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in a mandatory defence of his titles after winning them back from Andy Ruiz Jr, although a date for the bout remains unknown after the original date was postponed by the coronavirus outbreak.

Joshua’s road to success cannot be completed without the mention of his former boxing gym Finchley and District Amateur Boxing Club.

He joined the amateur boxing club in 2007 at the age of 18 when his cousin suggested he take up the sport, before he went on to win the 2009 and 2010 Haringey Box Cup.

Former Commonwealth champion and world number nine, Dereck Chisora also boxed at the same gym at the beginning of his career.