Express & Star

Anthony Joshua is a big hit in Cannock

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Britain's next great heavyweight hope Anthony Joshua visited Cannock for his first after-dinner speaking engagement this week.

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Londoner Joshua was the star attraction as over 300 people packed into the Premier Suite at Bar Sport, Cannock town centre, writes Craig Birch.

The towering boxer, still just 25, is making huge waves as a professional after winning an Olympic gold medal at his home-town London Games.

'AJ' has knocked out 14 straight opponents since first punching for pay and no one has been past three rounds with him in a pro ring.

He's in training for his next fight on December 12, where he will take on old amateur nemesis Dillian Whyte at the 02 Arena in the capital.

But first it was a meal, memories and hopes for the future to an enthralled audience at Scott Murray's venue, which has hosted several ring greats.

Murray said: "Anthony has become that popular he's almost a superstar already, so it was important to get him here as soon as possible.

"Give it another couple of years and it will be next to impossible to book him, as he could become one of the country's most famous boxers ever.

"He's a lovely lad, too, very humble and had a lot of time for everyone who attended. I was told this is his first public speaking engagement."

Posing the questions during his speech, as usual, was Telford's former WBC world super middleweight title holder Richie Woodhall.

On the top table was former promoter Ron Gray, ex-British Boxing Board of Control chairman Charles Giles and referee Terry O'Connor.

Brummie man in the middle O'Connor has seen first-hand what Joshua can do, after officiating his fourth pro contest against Dorian Darch.

Bar Sport has been visited by Evander Holyfield, 'Sugar' Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Nigel Benn and Carl Froch in the last two years.

Next up is former WBA world lightweight champion Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini, who will be in the Premier Suite on Thursday October 22.

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