Anthony Joshua has made it clear he doesn’t have a wife and prefers to keep his relationship life completely private as he prepares for his highly anticipated fight with Jake Paul. The legendary boxer has repeatedly emphasized that his personal relationships remain his own business, especially ahead of Friday night’s major showdown.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Anthony Joshua is not married and has never confirmed having a current girlfriend publicly.
- The 36-year-old boxer has been romantically linked with Moroccan model Samia Slimani in 2025, though neither confirmed the relationship.
- Joshua shares a 10-year-old son named Joseph “JJ” with dancer Nicole Osbourne, whom he met in high school.
- The boxer deliberately shields his personal life from public scrutiny and rarely discusses dating or relationships.
Joshua’s Private Dating Approach Contrasts with Paul’s Public Romance
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While Jake Paul is engaged to Olympic speedskater Jutta Leerdam and frequently shares his relationship publicly, Joshua takes the complete opposite approach. The heavyweight champion maintains strict boundaries separating his boxing career from his private life, refusing to confirm or discuss romantic partnerships with media outlets.
Despite being one of the most eligible bachelors in professional boxing, Joshua has successfully avoided the celebrity relationship circus that often accompanies fame. His commitment to privacy extends beyond romantic matters—he rarely discusses his son publicly and told BBC Radio in 2024 that he only occasionally talks about boxing with Joseph.
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This approach reflects Joshua’s philosophy of protecting what matters most while maintaining his focus on professional commitments. The contrast between his privacy and Paul’s public engagement sends different messages to fans ahead of their Netflix boxing match.
Dating History and Romantically Linked People Over the Years
Joshua’s relationship timeline reveals a pattern of discretion that has occasionally frustrated tabloid media. The 34-year-old has been romantically linked with several high-profile women, though he has never publicly confirmed any of these relationships officially.
| Person | Rumored Connection |
| Nicole Osbourne | Mother of his son Joseph; on-and-off relationship from high school |
| Samia Slimani | Moroccan model and influencer; linked in 2025, visited Morocco together |
| Bella Hadid | Supermodel; speculation emerged in 2017, never confirmed |
| Vick Hope | Broadcaster; rumored connection, not publicly verified |
In 2023, presenter Laura Woods quizzed Joshua about his relationship status in an interview, but the boxer skillfully deflected the conversation without providing specifics. This exchange demonstrated his consistent refusal to engage with personal life inquiries from the media.
Why Joshua Values His Privacy Before Major Boxing Events
Maintaining personal privacy serves Joshua’s mental and emotional preparation for high-stakes boxing matches. The heavyweight champion believes that focusing exclusively on training and strategy gives him an advantage over opponents, rather than entertaining relationship gossip or public speculation.
By keeping his dating life private, Joshua avoids the distractions that often derail athletes at critical moments in their careers. Unlike younger fighters who leverage social media for relationship updates, Joshua draws a hard line between his professional persona and his personal world.
This separation becomes particularly important before a fight as significant as Friday’s Netflix showdown against Jake Paul. The former two-time heavyweight champion can concentrate entirely on boxing without navigating relationship drama or media inquiries about his romantic status.
The Contrast Between Joshua’s Privacy and Celebrity Boxing Culture
Boxing has evolved into an entertainment spectacle where personal drama often matters as much as athletic skill. Jake Paul epitomizes the modern influencer-boxer model, where everything from training to relationships becomes public content for YouTube audiences and social media followers.
Anthony Joshua represents the traditional athlete approach—letting performance speak louder than personal life narratives. His $92 million purse for Friday’s fight isn’t contingent on relationship updates or romantic revelations. Instead, Joshua focuses on demonstrating why his heavyweight expertise matters against Paul’s celebrity appeal.
The broader boxing community respects Joshua’s boundaries, understanding that his discretion reflects maturity and professionalism. This approach has earned him respect from traditional boxing fans who appreciate athletes prioritizing discipline over celebrity gossip.
What Does Joshua’s Relationship Privacy Tell Us About His Priorities for Tonight’s Fight?
The simple answer: Joshua’s complete privacy regarding his love life demonstrates where his mentality sits before the Jake Paul fight. By refusing to discuss girlfriends or romantic interests, the heavyweight champion sends a clear message that boxing comes first and everything else remains secondary.
Whether Joshua is romantically involved with someone remains entirely his business. What matters to fans and betting enthusiasts is his physical conditioning, mental preparation, and technical boxing skills heading into Friday’s Netflix event. The fighter has chosen to let his performance—not his personal life—tell the story of who he truly is.
Sources
- Men’s Journal – Anthony Joshua’s dating history and relationship privacy explained
- The Mirror – Coverage of Joshua’s love life and celebrity connections
- USA Today – Joshua’s personal relationships during boxing career

Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.

