Boxing: Anthony Joshua aims to strike gold on home soil

Anthony Joshua took a long, hard look at the Olympic stadium yesterday and announced he was born to win boxing gold in his home town next summer.

The 22-year-old super heavyweight from Golders Green has been tipped to become the star of the Great Britain team at London 2012 after winning silver at the world championships in October. Now he believes he can emulate the feat of his idol Audley Harrison, the super heavyweight who won gold in Sydney and inspired the British team.

Joshua’s selection was confirmed officially yesterday at a press conference at the Olympic site in Stratford. Also confirmed were light welterweight Tom Stalker, the Commonwealth Games champion from Liverpool, Hull bantamweight Luke Campbell and two boxers from Wales in the shape of Fred Evans, a 20-year-old welterweight from St Mellons, Cardiff, and Barry flyweight Andrew Selby.

Joshua said: “I’m made for it. I’m not overwhelmed by it. This is what I’m supposed to do. I’ll deal with it all right. I’ve not won one [gold] yet but I’m not far off. I am heading in the right direction.”