London 2012: GOLD FOR BRITAIN! I have been blessed, says Joshua

Sunday, August 12, 2012
6:39 PM

Olympic boxing: Anthony Joshua is king of the ring

Finchley super heavyweight Anthony Joshua won Team GB’s third boxing Gold with a stunning win on count back - and following an appeal - against defending champion Roberto Cammarelle in the last bout of the Olympic Games at the ExCel Arena.

Joshua, 22, battled his way to victory against a hugely experienced and decorated Cammarellie who was 10 years his senior with the judges scoring the enthralling contest 18-18 before count back handed Joshua Team GB’s 29th Gold medal.

Joshua, having celebrated in the ring, then had to endure the agony of an Italian appeal against the judge’s decision.... within half an hour it had been thrown out and the decision was confirmed. Only then could the medal ceremony go ahead,

Southpaw Cammarellie’s rugged style saw him try to bully Joshua, who used his better foot work to good effect against Cammarellie as he worked behind his jab.

The judges scored the first round 6-5 to Cammarellie and Joshua picked up the pace in the second round as he created some openings but failed to pull the trigger with any combinations.

Joshua trailed 13-10 going into the final round and when it really mattered he found another level to overpower Cammarellie and peppered him with stiff right hands to finish well and stake a great claim for Gold.

After the judges had the bout tied at 18-18 it went to count back and Joshua prevailed to add to the Gold medals of teammates Nicola Adams, Luke Campbell and complete a fantastic medal haul of five for Team GB’s boxers with Anthony Ogogo winning bronze and Fred Evans clinching Silver.

Joshua, who afterwards shared a touching embrace with the man he emulated, 1988 Olympic champion Lennox Lewis, said: “Once again, there are no easy fights in these Olympics. I have pulled it out of the bag and my heart is pumping with adrenaline. The third round is always a good round for me. Again and again, the crowd have come out.

“Sunday is a holy day and I have been blessed. I want to gain more experience and keep on pushing. I am still an amateur. That medal represents my journey and the support from my team. It is much more than a gold medal, it is a life experience. It is not just me, it is my fallen soldiers and the ones who have made it.”

A delighted Joshua felt he “pulled it out of the bag” but his narrow victory was not enough to convince him to turn professional.

He added: “I want to get more experience. I just want to keep pushing as an amateur. I am an amateur.”