Naveed
In January 2017, a photo of Anthony Joshua praying inside a Dubai mosque went viral and drew a wave of criticism from people who assumed the newly crowned heavyweight champion had converted to Islam. He hadn’t — and how he handled that moment says more about his actual approach to faith than any single pre-fight prayer could. Raised Christian in England after being born to Nigerian parents, Joshua has spent his career describing belief in God as something personal, not something tied to one church or label.
| Religion | Christian (personal, non-denominational faith) |
| Profession | Professional boxer, former unified heavyweight champion |
| Nationality | British (Nigerian heritage) |
| Full name | Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua |
| Born | October 15, 1989, in Watford, England |
Crediting Faith After Fights — In His Own Words
Joshua has repeatedly brought God into his public reflections, especially during hard moments outside the ring. He has been consistent about keeping that belief separate from any organized religion, telling the Press Association in 2016 that “100 per cent I have faith,” even while resisting a specific denominational label.
How His Nigerian-British Heritage Shaped His Faith
Born Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua in Watford, England, to Nigerian parents, Joshua spent part of his early years in Nigeria, including time boarding at Mayflower School in Ikenne, Ogun State. That upbringing placed him in a country where Christianity and Islam are both deeply woven into daily life, a fact he has pointed to when explaining his comfort around different faiths. As he put it in a widely reported 2016 interview, “I was born a Christian, but as I’ve grown into my own man I don’t attach myself to a religion.”
Baptism and Church Ties
There is no well-documented account of Joshua describing a specific baptism or naming a home congregation he regularly attends. The most-reported instance of him inside a place of worship is actually a 2017 mosque visit, which he captioned on Instagram, “Besides luck, hard work & talent…Prayer is a solid foundation.” He later clarified to reporters, “I am not a Muslim but I respect Muslims and appreciate Muslims,” per Vice and Al Jazeera coverage of the episode. That moment, more than any documented church membership, illustrates how Joshua treats faith as something practiced with respect across traditions rather than allegiance to one institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anthony Joshua a Muslim?
No. After a 2017 photo showed him praying in a Dubai mosque, Joshua stated publicly, “I am not a Muslim but I respect Muslims and appreciate Muslims.”
What religion was Anthony Joshua raised in?
He was raised Christian, born in Watford, England, to Nigerian parents, though he has said he doesn’t attach himself to one organized religion as an adult.
