Anthony Ogogo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Boxing career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
.jpg) Ogogo at the2010 Commonwealth Games. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | English | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Anthony Osejua Ojo Ogogo (1988-11-24)24 November 1988 (age 37) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft11+1⁄2 in (182 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight class | Middleweight | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boxing record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Win by KO | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| Professional wrestling career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spouse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ring name | Anthony Ogogo | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Billed weight | 220 lb (100 kg)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Billed from | The East of England | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trained by | Cody Rhodes[2] Dustin Rhodes[3] Q. T. Marshall Ricky Knight[2] Saraya Knight[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debut | 23 February 2019[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Anthony Osejua Ojo Ogogo (born 24 November 1988) is an Englishprofessional wrestler and formerprofessional boxer. He is signed toAll Elite Wrestling (AEW),[4] where he is a member ofShane Taylor Promotions. He also competes in his native England forRevolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro). As a boxer, he competed from 2013 to 2016 as a professional and won a bronze medal in themiddleweight division at the2012 Olympics as anamateur. In 2015, Ogogo participated in the13th series ofStrictly Come Dancing.
Ogogo was born to an English mother and a Nigerian father.[5]
In his youth he attended many Football in the Community courses run byNorwich City, resulting in him being invited for a trial at the club and playing in their youth team.[6]
Having taken up boxing aged 12, Ogogo won a gold medal in the 2004 Junior Olympics final held inTexas.[6][7]
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 theSt George's Hall in Liverpool.
Ogogo competed in the2010 Commonwealth Games inDelhi, India in the Middleweight (75 kg) Division and won a silver medal after being defeated in the final byNorthern Ireland's Eamonn O'Kane by a score of 16–4.[8]
Ogogo secured his place on theGB Boxing team for the2012 London Olympics inTrabzon,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 againstJunior Castillo ofDominican 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 oneUkrainian'sEvhen 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 foughtGermany'sStefan Härtel in the quarter-finals. Ogogo continued his successful form with a 15–10 victory. He went on to boxBrazilianEsquiva 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.[9] Apost box in his home town ofLowestoft (on Rectory Road) was painted bronze in honour of this result,[10] but has since been re-painted red.
In December 2012, Ogogo signed his first professional contract, withLos Angeles-based promotional companyGolden Boy Promotions.[6]
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.
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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]
It was announced on 10 June that Ogogo would fight for the first time at theO2 Arena on the undercard ofAnthony Joshua vs. Dominic Breazeale on 25 June. This would be part of a stacked card includingGeorge Groves,Martin Murray,Chris Eubank Jr,Conor Benn andDillian Whyte.[14] 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.[15] 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 asuper-middleweight world title fight.[16] 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.[17]
Ogogo's first title match was announced, which would take place at theBarclaycard Arena in Birmingham on 22 October on the undercard of theFrankie Gavin vs.Sam Eggington fight. Ogogo fought Craig Cunningham (16-1, 3 KOs) for the vacantWBC International middleweight title.[18] 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.[19] It was confirmed after the fight that Ogogo fractured his eye socket and would be out until later 2017.[20] 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.[21]
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.[22]
In January 2019, Ogogo expressed hope that after his eye surgery he could come back to the ring.[23]
On 11 March 2019, having not fought since October 2016, Ogogo retired from boxing at the age of 30.[24] 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.[25]
Following his retirement from boxing, Ogogo began his career inprofessional wrestling.[26] On 23 February 2019, he made his wrestling debut in his hometown for theWorld Association of Wrestling (WAW).[27]
In April 2019, Ogogo was featured onCody Rhodes'Nightmare Family YouTube series,The Road toDouble or Nothing.[28] On 26 October 2019, it was announced that he had signed with Cody'sAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) promotion.[29] Ogogo is AEW's firstdevelopmental wrestler, being trained byDustin Rhodes andQ. T. Marshall.[3][30] On 27 October 2020, Ogogo began appearing as acommentator onAEW Dark.
On 31 March 2021, Ogogo would make his debut onAEW Dynamite, attacking Cody Rhodes and aligning himself with Q. T. Marshall,Nick Comoroto, andAaron Solo, establishing himself as aheel. He feuded with Cody Rhodes untilAEW Double or Nothing 2021. Ogogo lost to Rhodes in a single match at the event.[31] He would have one more in AEW before having eye surgery, and was out injured for 6 months.[32] Ogogo returned to the ring on the 1 December taping ofAEW Dark: Elevation in an eight-man tag match.[33]
On the 6 April 2024 episode ofAEW Collision, Ogogo returned to AEW, assistingShane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor andLee Moriarty) in attackingChris Jericho andHook, joining the stable in the process.[34]
On 3 January 2008, Ogogo enteredBig Brother: Celebrity Hijack onChannel 4, finishing in fourth place. Anthony had a naked photoshoot forAttitude magazine andcontinues 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 athleteHolly Bleasdale and later gymnastLouis Smith. In 2013, he appeared in the third heat of theITV diving showSplash!, 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 onStrictly Come Dancing, together withOti Mabuse. They were eliminated second; on the third week of the competition.[35] In February 2018, he took part inCelebrity Haunted Mansion onW. He has also appeared onBear Grylls'The Island.In October 2016, Anthony was made an Honorary Fellow of theUniversity of Suffolk. In September 2024 Anthony joined the cast ofCelebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. In October 2024, Ogogo appeared as a contestant onRichard Osman's House of Games (series 8, episodes 16-20).
| 12 fights | 11 wins | 1 loss |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 7 | 1 |
| By decision | 4 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Loss | 11–1 | Craig Cunningham | TKO | 8 (10),1:27 | 22 Oct 2016 | Barclaycard Arena,Birmingham, England | For vacantWBC Internationalmiddleweight title |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Bronislav Kubin | TKO | 2 (8),2:38 | 23 Jul 2016 | Max Schmeling Halle,Berlin, Germany | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Frane Radnić | RTD | 1 (6),3:00 | 25 Jun 2016 | The O2 Arena, London, England | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Gary Cooper | TKO | 3 (6),1:26 | 28 May 2016 | SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Ruslan Schelev | UD | 6 | 18 Jul 2015 | Gerry Weber Stadion,Halle, Germany | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Wayne Reed | TKO | 5 (6),1:06 | 12 Jul 2014 | Echo Arena,Liverpool, England | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jonel Tapia | TKO | 3 (8),0:46 | 3 May 2014 | MGM Grand Garden Arena,Paradise, Nevada, US | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Greg O'Neill | PTS | 6 | 1 Mar 2014 | Scottish Exhibition Centre,Glasgow, Scotland | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Dan Blackwell | PTS | 6 | 14 Dec 2013 | ExCel Arena,London, England | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Gary Boulden | TKO | 5 (6),0:33 | 13 Jul 2013 | Craven Park,Hull, England | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Edgar Perez | UD | 6 | 18 May 2013 | Boardwalk Hall,Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Kieron Gray | TKO | 2 (6),2:00 | 27 Apr 2013 | Motorpoint Arena,Sheffield, England |
,Internet Wrestling Database
