Anthony Joshua has been linked with a potential takeover of English Championship side Watford.
Based on reports, financial experts working with Joshua reportedly held discussions with Watford about a deal worth £150 million.
The Hornets, who have been owned by Italian Gino Pizzo since 2012, are said to have been interested in new investments for several years.
Joshua’s involvement, even as part of a consortium, delineates the club’s ambition to improve its financial and promotional status.
Watford’s valuation of £150 million to £175 million is in tandem with Anthony Joshua’s reported net worth, and this makes conversations surrounding the possible takeover financially feasible.
Anthony Joshua Not Directly In Talks With Watford Over Potential Takeover
Reports indicate that Joshua is not directly discussing with the Hornets over the takeover, as he was basically contacted about being a part of the Championship side’s investment opportunities.
Discussions surrounding a potential takeover are said to presently be at an entry-level.
Moreover, the details of the proposal remain unknown, but it is understood that Watford have discussed with other parties over a minority stake in the side.
Joshua And Watford
Anthony Joshua has strong ties with Watford, having been born at Watford General Hospital, close to the Championship side’s Vicarage Road ground.
The former heavyweight boxing champion grew up in North Watford on the Meriden Estate, and he got some of his education at the Kings Langley Secondary School.
Joshua was born on October 15, 1989, in Watford, Hertfordshire, and he is the son of Nigerian mother Yeta, and Nigerian-Irish father Robert.
The Englishman of Nigerian descent spent some of his early years in Nigeria as a boarding school student at Mayflower School in Ikenne.
Following his parents’ divorce when he was 12, Joshua returned to the UK halfway through Year Seven to join Kings Langley Secondary School.
Anthony Joshua excelled at football and athletics and smashed his school’s Year Nine 100 m record with a time of 11.6 seconds.
Meanwhile, Joshua has been involved in 31 bouts thus far in his boxing career, and he has an impressive record of 28 wins – 25 by knockouts and 3 defeats.
Additionally, Watford ended the 2023/24 English Championship 15th on the log, with 56 points from 46 matches.
Meanwhile, Hornets were last in the top flight in the 2021/22 season, when they finished 19th on the Premier League table, with 23 points from 38 matches.
Former Manchester United, Leicester City, Aston Villa, and Everton star, Tom Cleverly, currently manages the side, and he will be hoping to help the Championship club secure promotion to the top division in the 2024/25 season.
