Sport

Anthony Joshua has declared that he’d like to have ‘another six’ children so he can be surrounded by family once he retires.

declared that he’d like to have ‘another six’ children so he can be surrounded by family once he retires.

The two-time world heavyweight champion, 31, is already dad to five-year-old son JJ and candidly revealed he’s trying to teach his little boy that ‘practise makes perfect’ during an appearance on Saturday’s The Jonathan Ross Show.

Elsewhere, the boxer teased details about his hotly-anticipated fight against Tyson Fury as he admitted Wembley Stadium in London would be the ‘ideal’ location and he hopes it’ll happen in ‘July or August’.

Family man: Anthony Joshua has declared that he’d like to have ‘another six’ children so he can be surrounded by family in old age during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show

Chatting about his plans to expand his brood and have more children, Anthony said: ‘I want to have loads.

‘Someone said to me, which makes sense, when you’re young, you don’t want to have kids, but when you’re older and settled down and retired you wish that you had more kids around you, so I’m just looking ahead – loads for me is probably another six.’

The dad-of-one also revealed that he’s trying to teach his five-year-old son JJ to keep working at things and never give up.

He explained: ‘He’s 5, JJ. I would like him to watch me fight, I don’t mind. What I’d explain to him, more so being a fighter, it’s about chatting to him and saying, “This is where I lost, this is how I felt, but I didn’t give up.”

Father and son: The two-time world heavyweight champion, 31, is already dad to his five-year-old son JJ (pictured making Lego together at Christmas 2020)

‘He’s at that age now where if he’s not good at something he doesn’t want to do it. So I try and express to him, “Even though you’re not good at it yet, practise makes perfect”.’

Anthony also admitted that his mum isn’t a big fan of watching him fight, saying: ‘No, she doesn’t if I’m honest. It’s tough. It’s the real deal. Fighting is the real deal.’

The doting dad shocked his fans in 2016 when he revealed in a message on social media that he had a secret son, then six months old.

The little boy – Joseph Bayley Temiloluwa Prince Joshua – was born at Watford General Hospital on October 6, 2015.

Also on Jonathan Ross, Anthony turned his attention to the much-anticipated fight with Tyson Fury, telling Jonathan that he’s waiting to hear back from the Gypsy King.

Bring it on: Anthony (pictured on the show) also turned his attention to the much-anticipated fight with Tyson Fury, telling Jonathan that he’s waiting to hear back from the Gypsy King

He said: ‘I’ve signed my side of the deal. We’ve sent him [Tyson] a good offer, one I’m sure he won’t refuse. He wants the fight, no doubt about it. So do I and more than me and him, the whole public want it.

‘I put my crystal ball out there and I say it’s going to happen this year 100 per cent.’

Later returning to whether the fight will happen this year he added: ‘I’m pretty sure it’ll be this year. End of July, early August.

‘Where? That’s what’s the delay, because of this pandemic. We want to have people coming to the venue. It’s just finding the right location. For me, Wembley would be ideal.’

Anthony previously fought at Wembley against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.

Later in the show, Jonathan played a message from Tyson for Anthony, leaving his fellow guests waiting to see his reaction.

When asked how long he thinks he’s got left in the highly competitive sport Anthony said: ‘Five to six years left.’

Not long to wait: Anthony revealed he’s ‘pretty sure it’ll be this year. End of July, early August’

Pictured: Tyson Fury pictured in February 2020

Anthony also praised Tyson for chatting about his mental health problems, saying that by a ‘hard man’ speaking out it ‘gives people hope’.

Anthony said: ‘It’s tough, for someone to go through that mental pressure and pull themselves back up. A lot of people are suffering in this world.

‘We put on a brave face don’t we? He’s put it out to the world ‘this is what I’ve gone through, if I’m a boxer, heavyweight champion of the world hard man, if I can go through it…’ it gives people hope. I respect it. 100 per cent you have to respect it.’

Jonathan also asked if Tyson and Anthony have met or are friends away from the ring, with the boxer saying: ‘Yeah I have [met Tyson]. I don’t even know what we are.

‘I’ve seen him face-to-face and people on video and social media are different than face-to-face.’

Put to him by Jonathan that in defence of Tyson, he is a very good boxer and that the fight is going to be a challenge, Anthony joked: ‘Who, Mike Tyson?’

Anthony and Jonathan went on to discuss about trash talk during the interview, with the boxer saying: ‘The best to ever do it is Muhammad Ali. Facts.

‘Ideal’: Anthony said that Wembley Stadium would be great for the fight however coronavirus restrictions mean that a capacity crowd would likely be in place

‘The best to ever do it. I think, like you know, when you study the game, you can take so much from him… It’s just saying I’m better than this guy and these are the reasons.’

Alan Carr then jumped in and revealed: ‘I met Muhammad Ali. My dad was manager of Nuneaton Borough football club. For some reason he came to the ground, he came in the dressing room and he was the sweetest.’

Anthony replied: ‘He’s a special, special, special man.’

Anthony also explained why he doesn’t really trash talk, saying he’s too busy with everything else.

He explained: ‘I’m busy, busy promoting boxing, I’m here with you tonight. I spend a lot of time in the gym, with my family working.

‘I feel like I do enough promoting of boxing… I’m representing my mother, my father, my community, the boxing youth…people have got kids… my trash talk can become a bit real. I don’t want to get too personal, that’s what it is.’

On Saturday’s show Anthony is set to be joined by award-winning actress Emily Blunt, comedian Alan Carr while rapper AJ Tracey chats and performs in the studio.

The Jonathan Ross Show, Saturday 17 April, 9.35pm on ITV and ITV Hub

Star-studded: On Saturday’s show Anthony is set to be joined by award-winning actress Emily Blunt, comedian Alan Carr while rapper AJ Tracey chats and performs in the studio

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