Anthony Ogogo

Early life

Ogogo was born to an English mother and a Nigerian father.

In his youth he attended many Football in the Community courses run by Norwich City, resulting in him being invited for a trial at the club and playing in their youth team.

Amateur boxing career

2004 Junior Olympics

Having taken up boxing aged 12, Ogogo won a gold medal in the 2004 Junior Olympics final held in Texas.

2005 IABA Cadet World championships

In 2005, Ogogo won gold at the IABA Cadet World Championships in the 70 kg division by beating Ruslan Derbenev of Russia in the final. A 1,000-plus capacity crowd watched the bout at the St George's Hall in Liverpool.

2010 Commonwealth Games

Ogogo competed in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India in the Middleweight (75 kg) Division and won a silver medal after being defeated in the final by Northern Ireland's Eamonn O'Kane by a score of 16–4.

2012 Olympic Games

Ogogo secured his place on the GB Boxing team for the 2012 London Olympics in Trabzon, Turkey in April 2012. Ogogo was the first of the British boxers to make their Olympic debut, on 28 July, opening with a round of 32 bout against Junior Castillo of Dominican Republic, who he beat by a score of 13–6. In his round of 16 bout, Ogogo entered the biggest fight, against world champion and world number one Ukrainian's Evhen Khytrov. With the judges' score drawn, and the 52–52 count-back score not separating the fighters, the decision went down to the judges to press either the blue or red pad based on their opinion as to who deserved the decision. The majority of the five officials chose Ogogo. One fight from a bronze medal, Ogogo fought Germany's Stefan Härtel in the quarter-finals. Ogogo continued his successful form with a 15–10 victory. He went on to box Brazilian Esquiva Falcão Florentino in the semi-final but his opponent proved to be too strong for him. Ogogo lost the bout 16:9, claiming a bronze medal. A post box in his home town of Lowestoft (on Rectory Road) was painted bronze in honour of this result, but has since been re-painted red.

Professional boxing career

Early fights and injury

In December 2012, Ogogo signed his first professional contract, with Los Angeles-based promotional company Golden Boy Promotions.

He won his first professional bout against Kieron Gray, stopping him in the second round.

After 7 professional fights, Ogogo was out for a year after requiring surgery for an Achilles tendon injury.

Return and International middleweight title fight

During his comeback fight against Ruslan Schelev in July 2015 he dislocated his shoulder in the second round but continued until the end of the six rounds to take a unanimous decision. On 29 May 2016 Ogogo needed less than three rounds to win his comeback from injury. After a one-sided two-and-a-half round, Gary Cooper's corner threw in the towel to award Ogogo a successful return from a 10-month absence. Cooper was an 11th-hour replacement for Germany's Chris Herrmann in Glasgow on the undercard of Ricky Burns’ Super WBA super-lightweight title fight.

It was announced on 10 June that Ogogo would fight for the first time at the O2 Arena on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Dominic Breazeale on 25 June. This would be part of a stacked card including George Groves, Martin Murray, Chris Eubank Jr, Conor Benn and Dillian Whyte. Ogogo defeated Frane Radnic (11-2, 10 KOs), after knocking Radnic down from left in the 1st round. Radnic did not return for round 2. Ogogo fought for the third time in just seven weeks against experienced 37 year old Bronislav Kubin (19-20-2, 12 KOs) in Berlin on the undercard of a super-middleweight world title fight. Ogogo won the fight via 2nd-round TKO. Kubin was knocked down twice in round one and four times in round 2 as the referee waved the fight off.

Ogogo's first title match was announced, which would take place at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on 22 October on the undercard of the Frankie Gavin vs. Sam Eggington fight. Ogogo fought Craig Cunningham (16-1, 3 KOs) for the vacant WBC International middleweight title. Ogogo suffered his first loss since turning pro, having been dropped by Cunningham in round 2, who then controlled the remainder of the fight. Trainer Tony Sims pulled Ogogo out of the fight during the 8th round after a timeout by referee Ian John Lewis, due to blurred vision. Ogogo was also staggered by Cunningham's accurate counter punching in rounds four and five. It was confirmed after the fight that Ogogo fractured his eye socket and would be out until later 2017. In January 2017, Ogogo's promoter Nisse Sauerland said that he was recovering well and would make a return in the second half of 2017.

Blindness and retirement

In March 2017, still wanting to become a world champion, Ogogo was registered blind. He was advised to retire by a number of eye specialists. At this stage, Ogogo had undergone two operations on his left eye. Speaking to Lowestoft Journal, Ogogo said his driving licence was also taken away from him as he was not allowed to drive.

In January 2019, Ogogo expressed hope that after his eye surgery he could come back to the ring.

On 11 March 2019, having not fought since October 2016, Ogogo retired from boxing at the age of 30. He released a long statement thanking many names who had helped and guided him throughout his amateur and professional career, closing the statement with, "I’ve been through a lot in my career. I’ve had 17 operations and suffered every pain imaginable. I’ve won, lost, cried and hurt. But if you were to ask me would I do it again? In a heartbeat. I love this game." He retired with a record of 11 wins and one sole loss, during his short four-year professional career.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2019)

Following his retirement from boxing, Ogogo began his career in professional wrestling. On 23 February 2019, he made his wrestling debut in his hometown for the World Association of Wrestling (WAW).

All Elite Wrestling (2019–present)

In April 2019, Ogogo was featured on Cody Rhodes' Nightmare Family YouTube series, The Road to Double or Nothing. On 26 October 2019, it was announced that he had signed with Cody's All Elite Wrestling (AEW) promotion. Ogogo is AEW's first developmental wrestler, being trained by Dustin Rhodes and Q. T. Marshall. On 27 October 2020, Ogogo began appearing as a commentator on AEW Dark.

On 31 March 2021, Ogogo would make his debut on AEW Dynamite, attacking Cody Rhodes and aligning himself with Q. T. Marshall, Nick Comoroto, and Aaron Solo, establishing himself as a heel. He feuded with Cody Rhodes until AEW Double or Nothing 2021. Ogogo lost to Rhodes in a single match at the event. He would have one more in AEW before having eye surgery, and was out injured for 6 months. Ogogo returned to the ring on the 1 December taping of AEW Dark: Elevation in an eight-man tag match.

On the 6 April 2024 episode of AEW Collision, Ogogo returned to AEW, assisting Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor and Lee Moriarty) in attacking Chris Jericho and Hook, joining the stable in the process.

Other ventures

On 3 January 2008, Ogogo entered Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack on Channel 4, finishing in fourth place. Anthony had a naked photoshoot for Attitude magazine and continues to work as a semi-professional model through his official website. He also appeared in an advert for the sandwich store chain, Subway alongside track and field athlete Holly Bleasdale and later gymnast Louis Smith. In 2013, he appeared in the third heat of the ITV diving show Splash!, making it through to the semi-final the following week. However, on the semi-final, Anthony had to withdraw due to an injury he sustained from his dive the previous week. On 21 August 2015, it was announced that Ogogo would be competing on Strictly Come Dancing, together with Oti Mabuse. They were eliminated second; on the third week of the competition. In February 2018, he took part in Celebrity Haunted Mansion on W. He has also appeared on Bear Grylls' The Island. In October 2016, Anthony was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Suffolk. In September 2024 Anthony joined the cast of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. In October 2024, Ogogo appeared as a contestant on Richard Osman's House of Games (series 8, episodes 16-20).

Professional boxing record

|ko-wins=7 |ko-losses=1 |dec-wins=4

References

References

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2. "Anthony Ogogo". Wrestling Data.
3. (29 October 2019). "Anthony Ogogo: Former boxer signs for All Elite Wrestling". BBC Sport.
4. "Anthony Osejua Ojo Ogogo". www.aiba-london.com.
5. "Anthony Ogogo". www.gbboxing.org.uk.
6. . (13 October 2010). ["'Tired' Anthony Ogogo settles for boxing silver"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/commonwealth_games/delhi_2010/9089323.stm).
7. "Anthony Ogogo – Events and results". www.london2012.com.
8. Gray, Natalie. (28 September 2012). "Bronze postbox makes mail chiefs see red". [[Itv.com.
9. (27 December 2012). "Anthony Ogogo, Olympic boxing medallist, turns professional". [[BBC Sport]].
10. Dennen, John (2015) "[http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/anthony-ogogo-i-just-have-to-go-through-a-dark-path-to-get-there/ Anthony Ogogo: ‘I just have to go through a dark path to get there’]", ''Boxing News'', 10 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015
11. (29 May 2016). "Ogogo wins after 10 month lay off".
12. Lakey, Chris. (29 May 2016). "Ogogo declares war on middleweight rivals".
13. (10 June 2016). "Ogogo added to o2 Arena stacked card.".
14. "Anthony Ogogo retires Frane Radnic after round 1".
15. (13 July 2016). "Ogogo to fight in Berlin".
16. (16 July 2016). "Anthony Ogogo, Charlie Edwards Win Big in Germany - Boxing News".
17. (6 October 2016). "Anthony Ogogo and Craig Cunningham fight for the WBC International title".
18. (22 October 2016). "Craig Cunningham Drops, Shocks Anthony Ogogo For TKO Win - Boxing News".
19. (24 October 2016). "Anthony Ogogo Suffered Broken Eye Socket in Cunningham Loss - Boxing News".
20. (17 January 2017). "Anthony Ogogo could box in 2017 after recovering from injury, says Nisse Sauerland".
21. (30 March 2017). "Anthony Ogogo Registered Blind After Fracturing Eye Socket".
22. (2019-01-24). "EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Ogogo hopes to fight again after further eye surgery".
23. (11 March 2019). "Anthony Ogogo: Fractured eye socket and other injuries force Olympian to retire". BBC Sport.
24. (11 March 2019). "Anthony Ogogo Announces His Retirement From Boxing".
25. Baber, Andy. (10 June 2019). "'I'm seriously considering becoming a professional wrestler' - former boxer Anthony Ogogo ready to make next career move". [[Eastern Daily Press]].
26. "WAW In Lowestoft". Cagematch.
27. (17 April 2019). "AEW - The Road to Double or Nothing - Episode 12". Nightmare Family.
28. (26 October 2019). "OLYMPIC MEDALIST ANTHONY OGOGO SIGNS WITH AEW". Wrestling Observer.
29. (26 October 2019). "I'm thrilled about this signing. Anthony will be our first developmental project as a company. For those who followed his boxing career and saw his Olympic acumen, you'll be happy to see he's now applying that passion and work-ethic to pro-wrestling training. Welcome Anthony!". Cody Rhodes.
30. Lee, Joseph. (24 August 2020). "Update On The Status of Anthony Ogogo In AEW". 411 Mania.
31. Woodward, Hamish. (2021-10-23). "Every Anthony Ogogo match in AEW ranked".
32. (2021-07-04). "Anthony Ogogo's AEW Career On Hold After Tenth Eye Surgery".
33. (7 December 2021). "7 Matches Featuring The Acclaimed, Jurassic Express, Riho, The Factory & More: AEW Elevation, Ep 40".
34. Woodward, Hamish. (2024-05-03). "Anthony Ogogo Reveals Inspiration Behind 'Guv'nor' Gimmick".
35. (21 August 2015). "Hoping to be a knockout on the dance floor, it's Anthony Ogogo!". [[BBC]].