Joshua Plans to Open a Care Home for Former Boxers

Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) revealed his plans to invest in a care home for retired boxers who face health problems after their careers, particularly the development of chronic traumatic brain injuries.

“They suffer alone, so we’ve been discussing opening a care home. This would be part of my boxing legacy – giving something back to the sport that made me. The only thing I hope for is to maintain my health. Because it’s your health that is the most important thing you put on the line. We can see it in fighters when their health deteriorates, but we really never talk about it among ourselves. All we focus on is winning,” said Joshua on Desert Island Discs.

Twenty percent of professional boxers face chronic traumatic brain injury, a serious issue requiring significant medical care in the future.

Research from Cardiff University has shown that boxers are also at higher risk of developing early dementia, on average five years earlier than those who never boxed.