Anthony Joshua helped out ex-boxer Kevin Mitchell in a classy gesture
(Image: Getty Images)

Anthony Joshua classy gesture to ex-fighter's family revealed after heartbreaking tragedy

by · Manchester Evening News

In a heartwarming act of kindness, Anthony Joshua covered the funeral costs for the brother of ex-boxer Kevin Mitchell.

Mitchell, who held the British super featherweight title in 2008 and the Commonwealth title from 2006 to 2008, shared a touching story about Joshua's generosity following the tragic death of his younger brother, Vinny. The latter, also a professional boxer, tragically died in a motorcycle accident in 2019 at just 31 years old.

Following the tragedy, heavyweight Joshua reached out personally to Kevin and his mother, offering condolences and financial support for the funeral. Kevin recalled the immense stress the family was under, struggling with funeral costs and mortgage payments when Joshua stepped in to help.

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In a heart-to-heart with Josh Jamesy, Mitchell revealed: "He had so much pressure on him Josh, and let me tell you something - I've not said this to anyone before on podcast - but he paid for my brother's funeral." When probed about the reason behind such a generous act, whether it was due to a personal connection, Mitchell added: "Both. He knew my brother, he knew me, he knew my mum.

"He rung me up when we were in the chapel of rest in Dagenham East and he said 'Kev, how are you? You're a strong b****** aren't you.' I replied, 'You have to be Josh, it's life mate'. Then he was like, 'Is your mum there? Can I speak to her please?'

"As we're sitting around the table grieving - bad emotions and we're all about to kick off - and we're all worried about burying my brother, how will we get money, we got mortgages to pay, no one's working but the bills have still got to be paid so we're all aggressive and hot tempered, your emotions are like that.

"I was so stressed, I was under a lot of pressure and he went, 'Alice, do you mind if I get it? ' She said, 'What do you mean? ' My mum didn't quite hear him. And he went, 'I'm going to pay for his funeral Alice if you don't mind and he paid for it."

Although Mitchell has hung up his gloves, Joshua persists at the peak of boxing. 'AJ' is poised for a much-anticipated duel with Daniel Dubois, following a defeat by 'Dynamite', who knocked him out in the fifth round last month.

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