Novelty bout a legacy wrecker

ANTHONY JOSHUA has done a lot of good for British boxing.

- by CHRIS McKENNA

The Watford-born heavyweight was an inspiration to many when winning Olympic gold (below) at London 2012.

He turned his life around from drug dealing charges to become the nation’s darling.

Joshua's success further added to the desire to fund amateur boxing as gyms filled up around the country with kids wanting to be him.

Then he went professional and made stadium fights part of the British boxing fabric.

All while becoming a two-time heavyweight champion.

Will AJ be known as an all-time great? Probably not, but he’s earned millions, won world titles and become a national hero.

When you talk about legacy in British boxing, he’s right up there.

Yet fighting Jake Paul will seriously tarnish that. Joshua is above all of that.