Former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has sent a goodwill message to British-Nigerian boxer Patricia Mbata ahead of her bid to secure a place on Team Nigeria for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Joshua, in a video shared by Mbata on Instagram, joined Finchley and District Amateur Boxing Club coach Sean Murphy in wishing the middleweight boxer well at the trials in Lagos this week.
“Good luck, make sure you win,” Murphy kept his message simple and direct.
Joshua then echoed the coach’s demand, saying, “Well, as he said then, make sure you win, but good luck.
“We are all rooting for you. Sean was telling me that it’s a big one for you, and I wanted to wish you well, sending you love from London.”
Mbata, who was visibly moved by the gesture, shared the video and expressed gratitude to the club that has shaped her career.
“Thank you so much for your love and support. This isn’t just a boxing club, you’re not just coaches, you’re not only teammates — you are family. I’m boxing this week to secure a spot for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2026. May God lead and guide the way,” she wrote.
Both Mbata and Joshua share strong ties to Finchley ABC, the north London club where the former heavyweight champion began his amateur career. Mbata, who is of Nigerian descent, has long credited Joshua as an inspiration, noting that they share a similar philosophy and background.
Mbata won gold at the 2023 African Games in Accra, defeating IBA world champion Marbrouk Molka of Tunisia in the women’s 75kg final, and Joshua publicly celebrated that achievement on his Instagram story at the time.
Mbata is now targeting a place at the Glasgow Games, which are scheduled for July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre.
