Anthony Joshua has made a substantial donation to help fund amateur boxing in Britain – saying he hopes "we have not lost the next generation" of fighters.
Clubs have been forced to close during the pandemic and boxing was not included on a list of sports that received a £300m bailout in November. And with no government support, Joshua has stepped in by giving funds to the amateur boxing federations of England, Wales and Scotland."Without grassroots boxing, there is no Anthony Joshua," he said.
"The doors to these gyms are always open to any kid from any background," Joshua, who turned professional after winning Olympic gold at London 2012, told BBC sports editor Dan Roan.
"If I was 18 again and I was in a position where the gym was closed and it might not open, I would be devastated.
Funding will be provided to the amateur clubs most in need.
Joshua, 31, has been on an incredible journey to the top since making his name with a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012.