Anthony Joshua tattoos: What ink does AJ have and what do they mean?

Anthony Joshua is one of the world’s most famous athletes and will be looking to retain his heavyweight title against Kubrat Pulev this weekend.

AJ reclaimed his world crowns last December, beating Andy Ruiz Jr in style to return to the top of his sport.

The 31-year-old is now ready to enter the squared circle again and will go toe-to-toe with Pulev at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.

Joshua has overcome a lot in his career to date and has decorated his body with several tattoos to mark his achievements.

They will be on show again this weekend and he may well get another to celebrate should he see off Pulev to end a difficult 2020 on a high.

LION

Following his defeat to Ruiz Jr, AJ asked Southgate SG Tattoo shop owner, Victor Tsyhanou, to ink a lion and a forest scene on his middle digit.

The design was made to hide some of the scars on his finger but one of his calluses has been used as the moon.

According to Tsyhanou, Joshua wants to add a lioness and cubs to his other fingers.

TEAM GB

Joshua has had the Team GB lion emblem inked between his massive shoulders blades.

AJ had it done after representing his country at the 2012 Olympics, when he won gold.

Joshua made-up a three-point deficit in the final round to claim super-heavyweight gold against Italian reigning champion Roberto Cammarelle.

After his win, AJ told the BBC: “That medal represents my journey and the support from the team.

“It’s much more than just a gold medal, it’s a life experience and I’m just proud to have it round my neck.”

WISDOM

Because AJ says he’s always learning, wisdom is an important word to the boxer and that’s why it’s tattooed on his right arm.

“I always seek wisdom and and knowledge like the wise men from the Italian films and Wiseguy,” he said of the tattoo before fighting Wladimir Klitschko.

“I’ve always sought it, so it had relevance and meaning to me.”

AFRICA

The continent of Africa has had a massive influence on Joshua’s life and so, below the word wisdom he has the outline of the map of Africa etched on his right arm.

His mother Yeta Odusanya comes from Nigeria, while his father Robert is of Nigerian and Irish ancestry.

“I learnt more about my family’s history and I ended up getting an Africa tattoo,” he said.

“It was a nice combination to have ‘Wisdom’ and your heritage tattooed underneath, so it went well.”