BoxingScene reported last week that Ringside Charitable Trust chief executive Dave Harris was disappointed that the boxing industry was rallying behind a charity opening a care home for retired boxers. Five days later, Harris confirmed that Anthony Joshua, one of the most influential figures in boxing, had expressed an interest in giving significant support.
The former heavyweight champion remains in contact with his old amateur trainers, including John Oliver, who sits on the charity's board of directors, and it appears Oliver has broached the issue with Joshua and is keen to help him.
“I spoke to John Oliver today and he confirmed he is in discussions with Anthony Joshua and has expressed an interest in working with Ringside Charitable Trust to build a care home for former boxers,” Harris said on Monday.
Joshua himself appeared on BBC show Desert Island Discs on Sunday night and confirmed that such talks with Oliver were indeed underway.
“We've been talking about opening a care home because they're suffering themselves,” Joshua said. “It'll be part of my boxing legacy, giving something back to the sport that raised me.”
The six-year-old registered charity has the sole aim of supporting former boxers, who are long overdue for care home placement given the number of boxers who find themselves in need for a variety of reasons after retirement.
Harris and his UK team have raised more than £200,000 but are yet to receive substantive support from charities and people who can make a difference for housing and deliver a sustainable future.
until now.
“We'd like to say a huge thank you to Anthony Joshua for recognising there is a real need for specialist support for former boxers after they retire,” Harris continued.
“Anthony Joshua was the first elite boxer to publicly acknowledge this need and I hope more people in the boxing world will follow his example.”
“Anthony Joshua expressed his desire to work with his friend and RCT trustee, John Oliver, to build a care home with the RCT.
“Ringside looks forward to continuing to work with him in the future.”
