British-Nigerian boxer Patricia Mbata has received a powerful vote of confidence from former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua ahead of her bid to qualify for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
In a video shared by Mbata on Instagram, Joshua joined her coach, Sean Murphy of Finchley and District Amateur Boxing Club, to deliver a personal message of support before she heads to the trials in Lagos.
Coach Murphy set the tone with a direct demand of his fighter: “Good luck, make sure you win.”
Joshua, standing alongside his former club mentor, echoed the sentiment with a smile. “Well, as he said then, make sure you win, but good luck,” the former champion said. “We are all rooting for you. Sean was telling me that it’s a big one for you, and I wanted to wish you well, sending you love from London.”
Visibly moved by the gesture, Mbata posted the video with a heartfelt message. “Thank you so much for your love and support. This isn’t just a boxing club, you’re not just coaches, you’re not only teammates — you are family,” she wrote. “I’m boxing this week to secure a spot for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2026. May God lead and guide the way.”
The connection between the two fighters runs deep. Both share strong roots at Finchley ABC, the north London club where Joshua began his amateur career. Mbata, who is of Nigerian descent, has long cited Joshua as a major inspiration, pointing to their shared philosophy and background.
A gold medallist at the 2023 African Games—where she famously defeated IBA world champion Marbrouk Molka of Tunisia in the women’s 75kg final—Mbata is now aiming for glory on the Commonwealth stage. The Glasgow Games are scheduled to run from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre.
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