ANTHONY JOSHUA has been declared the fifth most marketable athlete in the world by SportsPro Media.
SportsPro released their annual Top 50 Most Marketable list today, and Joshua featured as the highest riser having moved from 35th last year.
In their profile of ‘AJ’, SportsPro wrote:
“Until now, the powerful yet affable Watford man has won his fans as effortlessly as most of his fights. His regal dismissal of ‘Prince’ Charles Martin at the O2 was a telegenic spectacle but it was also a reminder that he must still find his level – a dangerous process in boxing, heavy with the risk of defeat. But Joshua’s profile now brings considerable scale to prospective match-ups with David Haye, Deontay Wilder or the division’s wayward new kingpin, Tyson Fury. Any of those contests would be among the most watched heavyweight bouts in a decade or more.
“Boxing’s prospects are only ever one bad night from disaster; its matchmaking eccentricities can mean a fighter’s true calibre is difficult to grasp. Yet there is something special about Joshua, the sense that he can restore some lustre to one of world sport’s classic titles. Lustily backed by Sky Sports in his homeland, he now has a TV deal in place with Showtime in the US. This is a local favourite poised to become a global star.”
His recent deal with Under Armour is a big part of his leap, given that the three of this year’s top five are signed to the brand.
Here’s the list of the top 10 most marketable athletes on the planet:
- Stephen Curry – Basketball, USA
- Paul Pogba – Soccer, France
- Virat Kohli – Cricket, India
- Jordan Spieth – Golf, USA
- Anthony Joshua – Boxing, UK
- Kei Nishikori – Tennis, Japan
- Lydia Ko – Golf, New Zealand
- Neymar – Soccer, Brazil
- Missy Franklin – Swimming, USA
- Mikaela Shiffrin – Skiing, USA
