Two-time heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua has purchased a piece of British Boxing history, securing a 30-year-old punchbag from Sheffield’s famous Wincobank Gym, while making a generous donation to will support grassroot and local amateur boxing.
The 35-year-old London 2012 Olympic gold medalist spotted Dominic Ingle, son of the legendary boxing coach Brendan Ingle, sharing a video of one of the ancient heavy bags his father installed three decades ago.
After a member of Team AJ reached out, Ingle agreed to part with one of the iconic punchbags, which had been lying beneath the gym’s ring.
In return, Joshua made a substantial contribution to the St Thomas’ Boxing Club, a historic institution that has produced world champions and positively impacted countless local children.
A look into the Piece of Boxing History
The Ingle-designed bags are renowned for their durability and extraordinary weight. Joshua’s new acquisition is no exception, tipping the scales at 96.5kg.
The punching bag is one of several hand-crafted bags Brendan Ingle had custom-built after standard models repeatedly split under the intense training of world-class fighters.
The green version that still hangs at the Yorkshire gym is suspended from a rolled steel joist to support its immense weight.
That very bag has been used by a roll call of British boxing greats, including Prince Naseem Hamed, Herol Graham, Ryan Rhodes, Johnny Nelson, and Kell Brook.
Joshua not only purchased one for himself but has also ordered four additional bags to be shipped to his Dubai training facility.
Ingle shared the story behind the prized equipment, telling Boxing King Media:
“They are historical.
“I even have a photo of Anthony Joshua, from when he came here to spar Richard Towers, many many years ago and he probably hit that very bag and just doesn’t realize.”
“This old-school way has served us well for 40-odd years.”
“Brendan had those bags up specially, from his own design, because all the other bags kept splitting, because of the weight in them and the wear and tear, so he had them specially made.”
“That bag has stood the test of time and now it is in the hands of Anthony Joshua and hopefully he looks after it, because it is a bit of boxing history.”
“It’s in very good hands.”
Joshua’s Ongoing Support for Amateur Boxing
This isn’t the first time Joshua has given back to grassroots boxing. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the British government handed out £300 million to support several sports, including badminton and horse racing, but excluded boxing.
Joshua stepped in, personally donating funds and essential equipment through his sponsors to help save hundreds of amateur gyms across the UK, many in some of the nation’s most deprived areas.
Not for Jake Paul or Gervonta Davis Match
While Joshua’s acquisition has sparked excitement, fans won’t see him breaking in the bag for a rumored bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Paul has announced an unlikely exhibition match with lightweight star Gervonta “Tank” Davis, but Joshua remains focused on elite-level competition rather than spectacle fights.
Anthony Joshua, meanwhile, remains focused on his professional boxing career
