Joshua Edwards, the 23-year-old super heavyweight boxer who made an appearance on the global stage, was born in 2000 in Houston, Texas, and grew up with his father Henry Edwards.
The sportsman has visited several countries, including Germany, Chile, Finland, and Italy, London, and trips to other countries.
Edwards Punches Ticket to Paris Olympics
Joshua Edwards, a 23-year-old super heavyweight boxer from Houston, Texas, secured his qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics after a clutch performance at the recent 2023 Pan-American Games.
In the crucial Olympic qualifier semifinal bout, Edwards faced off against Cuba’s Fernando Arzola in the 92kg+ weight division. After a hard-fought match, the young American won by defeating Arzola to advance to the finals and confirm his place at the next summer Olympics.
It was the semifinal bout that Edwards needed to win to send him to Paris. He did it by defeating Cuba’s Fernando Arzola in that pivotal semi-final match of the 2023 Pan-American Game which led to his Olympic qualification.
Edwards was not the only American to qualify for the Olympics. Morelle McCane, Jennifer Lozano, Jahmal Harvey, and Jajaira Gonzalez, also qualified for the Olympics.
Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024, Team USA: Meet Morelle McCane
In the women’s flyweight division, Jennifer Lozano of Laredo earned a victory against Canada’s McKenzie Wright to become the first female Olympic qualifier for the city.
“I was talking to my barber…he told me he wanted to get a big poster of me and put it in the barbershop so the kids can see,” “I know I have the city on my back.”
After qualifying for the Olympics Joshua said
Joshua Edwards’s Early and Professional Career So Far
Early Career
Joshua Edwards, the 23-year-old Team USA super heavyweight boxer out of Houston, Texas, started boxing at just six years old. He played basketball during his high school years but ultimately decided to follow in the footsteps of his father Henry Edwards and pursue boxing full-time.
While Joshua Edwards wanted to quit boxing in high school, Morelle McCane picked up boxing as a high school senior.
Edwards’ lifelong passion for the sport is supported by his family history in boxing. His father Henry was formerly a boxer who trained at the same gym Edwards trains at now – Houston’s Undefeated Boxing Academy under coach Melvin Malone.
“My dad has pushed me every step of the way, through both hard and good times,” Edwards remarked. “So I fell in love with boxing again and have been going stronger ever since.”
Professional Career
After a few years of grinding, Edwards turned professional in 2019 and quickly started top finishes in major tournaments.
The Houston native hit the ground running, finishing 2nd in the 2019 Eastern Elite Qualifier. His defensive skills and hand speed make Edwards a problem for opponents in the ring.
Although his bid to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics fell short, Edwards continued gaining experience on the international amateur scene.
Over the next few years, Edwards added some impressive results to his resume. This included bronze at the 2023 Czech Republic Grand Prix, silver at the 2022 AMBC Elite Championships, and gold at the 2021 USA Boxing Elite National Championships.
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at the recent 2023 Pan-American Games. Edwards won the super heavyweight event, finally confirming his qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He has punched his ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after his victory at the 2023 Pan-American Games.
Joshua Hernia Surgery
In 2021, boxing super heavyweight Joshua Edwards faced a major obstacle on his path to Olympic qualification when he had to undergo a hernia surgery. The recovery process after the operation proved painfully slow for Edwards.
With time though, Edwards’ perspective on the injury changed and he saw it as an opportunity to grow mentally tougher.
“My injury taught me something about adversity,” Edwards said. “I used to get frustrated by setbacks but I realized sometimes they can be motivating.”
Edwards talking about his injury.
