Latest news with #Atang
ITV News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Leo Atang: Is this teenage boxer from York who just won his pro debut the 'next Anthony Joshua'?
"He is, in my opinion, the man to follow in the footsteps of Anthony Joshua and ignite the heavyweight division." Such a comparison is bound to weigh heavy, no matter how big their shoulders are. Coming from Eddie Hearn, the man who led Joshua's charge to world title glory, it carries added weight. Yet, 18-year-old Leo Atang showed no sign of any pressure during his professional debut in Manchester last night. The youngster from York made light work of his Bulgarian opponent Milan Paunev - 23 years his senior - showing all the strength, poise and stamina that had Hearn and many others fighting amongst themselves to secure his signature. Speaking to Calendar ahead of Saturday's fight, Atang admitted he wasn't always destined to throw punches for a living. "None of my family are boxers. My personality is the opposite of a boxer. I definitely wasn't one of those kids you'd avoid in the playground. I was always a happy active kid so I thought boxing would fit well for me." Atang first walked into Legion's gym in York as an unruly 10-year-old. Initially, his trainer Ashley Martin wasn't impressed. "Bounced in, smiling, messed around for the entire session. I stood there thinking 'I really hope this kid doesn't come back.'" Thankfully for Martin and the boxing world, Atang did come back. His strength and resilience was evident to all who saw him. With some expert coaching this kid had a chance. Atang would go on to dominate the amateur boxing scene, winning five national titles and the under 19 World Championship last year. But instead of treading the same route as Anthony Joshua and joining the Team GB Olympic pathway, Atang chose to turn professional. In March, Atang signed with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Promotions. His goal now, to become a world champion. Martin says "The lad will be the people's champion. They loved Frank Bruno back in the 90's. This is going to be Frank Bruno take two." Joshua, Bruno. Who next? Tyson? Ali? Over the years, many have been labelled the next big thing in heavyweight boxing. Many have crumbled under the pressure. Why is this 18-year-old from York any different? "I do truly believe it and a lot of people do believe in me as well, and I feel we can get it done." Atang doesn't lack in confidence. Neither does Joshua.
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Anthony Joshua squares up to teenage boxer tipped to be his heir as awestruck 18 year old told: ‘The world is yours'
ANTHONY JOSHUA 'squared up' to the teenage boxer who's tipped to be his successor as they came face to face for the first time. Leo Atang, 18, is being branded 'AJ's heir' after being snapped up by Eddie Hearn ahead of his pro debut this Saturday. 4 Anthony Joshua broke the ice with teenage boxer Leo Atang Credit: Getty 4 Atang is making his professional debut on the Eubank vs Catterall undercard Credit: Getty 4 Atang shared a picture from their shock meeting to his 17,000 Instagram followers Awestruck Atang, who calls Joshua his idol, was taken aback when the two-time heavyweight world champion threw air punches within seconds of meeting. AJ broke the ice with the gag as he gave the young fighter his seal of approval. The former world champion told Atang: 'The world is yours.' But the heavyweight isn't ready to bow out quite yet, despite his knock-out by ERAD MORE BOXING NEWS Speaking at the unveiling of Matchroom Boxing 's rebranding, AJ said: "For the first time in about 12 to 13 years as a professional, not even including the amateur stuff, I took a year out to get my body right. 'I'm at a different stage in my career where I can look at time a bit differently. "I've not got all these years in front of me like the main man here [Atang], so I've got to make really executive decisions about what I do next . "So the minute I come back, you know I'll come back with a bang rather than just keep rolling. Most read in Boxing CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I just thought, let me take some time out so when I do come back I come back fully active and ready to go and take the division by storm again." Meanwhile Atang is preparing for his pro debut on the Manchester this Saturday. Anthony Joshua vows to take heavyweight division 'by storm' in boxing return and reveals reason for YEAR long break Sharing a picture of himself with AJ and Frank Bruno on Instagram , Leo wrote: 'The past, present and the future .' Atang - a former rugby league winger from York - is a five-time national champ. He won the World Boxing Under-19 world championships last year - stopping Korean Lee Geon Hui inside the first round. Soon after turning pro under Hearn, the promoter said: "He's the guy in my opinion to follow in the footsteps of Anthony Joshua. "And ignite the heavyweight division to all kinds of fanbases across the country. "Young man, plenty of work to do, we're going to box him all across the country, all over the world. "Seven, eight fights a year but remember what I say, everybody in this arena, everyone tuning in on DAZN, follow this young man, remember the name. "This is the future of British boxing and the future of the heavyweight division." 4
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Anthony Joshua squares up to teenage boxer tipped to be his heir as awestruck 18 year old told: ‘The world is yours'
Hearn said he's the future of British boxing 'REMEMBER THE NAME' Anthony Joshua squares up to teenage boxer tipped to be his heir as awestruck 18 year old told: 'The world is yours' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ANTHONY JOSHUA 'squared up' to the teenage boxer who's tipped to be his successor as they came face to face for the first time. Leo Atang, 18, is being branded 'AJ's heir' after being snapped up by Eddie Hearn ahead of his pro debut this Saturday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Anthony Joshua broke the ice with teenage boxer Leo Atang Credit: Getty 4 Atang is making his professional debut on the Eubank vs Catterall undercard Credit: Getty 4 Atang shared a picture from their shock meeting to his 17,000 Instagram followers Awestruck Atang, who calls Joshua his idol, was taken aback when the two-time heavyweight world champion threw air punches within seconds of meeting. AJ broke the ice with the gag as he gave the young fighter his seal of approval. The former world champion told Atang: 'The world is yours.' But the heavyweight isn't ready to bow out quite yet, despite his knock-out by Daniel Dubois in September. ERAD MORE BOXING NEWS TY-ME HAS COME Fury gets green light from wife Paris to come out of retirement to fight AJ Speaking at the unveiling of Matchroom Boxing's rebranding, AJ said: "For the first time in about 12 to 13 years as a professional, not even including the amateur stuff, I took a year out to get my body right. 'I'm at a different stage in my career where I can look at time a bit differently. "I've not got all these years in front of me like the main man here [Atang], so I've got to make really executive decisions about what I do next. "So the minute I come back, you know I'll come back with a bang rather than just keep rolling. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I just thought, let me take some time out so when I do come back I come back fully active and ready to go and take the division by storm again." Meanwhile Atang is preparing for his pro debut on the Jack Catterall vs. Harlem Eubank card in Manchester this Saturday. Anthony Joshua vows to take heavyweight division 'by storm' in boxing return and reveals reason for YEAR long break Sharing a picture of himself with AJ and Frank Bruno on Instagram, Leo wrote: 'The past, present and the future.' Atang - a former rugby league winger from York - is a five-time national champ. He won the World Boxing Under-19 world championships last year - stopping Korean Lee Geon Hui inside the first round. Soon after turning pro under Hearn, the promoter said: "He's the guy in my opinion to follow in the footsteps of Anthony Joshua. "And ignite the heavyweight division to all kinds of fanbases across the country. "Young man, plenty of work to do, we're going to box him all across the country, all over the world. "Seven, eight fights a year but remember what I say, everybody in this arena, everyone tuning in on DAZN, follow this young man, remember the name. "This is the future of British boxing and the future of the heavyweight division."
