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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Russell Myers & Amber Hicks

Prince Harry hugs boxer Anthony Joshua as they are reunited after 'cheeky offer'

Prince Harry has been reunited with Anthony Joshua - almost two years after the boxing legend's cheeky offer.

The pair greeted each other with a hug and pat on the back before sharing a joke and posing for photos.

The duke, 34, also joined sporting champ Nicola Adams, 36, as the trio attended the launch of a campaign bringing together charities supporting disadvantaged young people through sport.

Harry was all smiles as he stepped in the boxing ring to watch youngsters being shown the ropes by Adams.

Made by Sport aims to take advantage of the proven role sport can play in developing skills that make a difference at school, work and life.

The new four-year campaign is hoping to raise £40m to support sports provision and grassroots clubs and organisations in disadvantaged communities across the UK.

The cause is being championed by Joshua, Adams and the Duke of Sussex.

Harry and Joshua, 29, previously struck up a friendship when the boxer was interviewed by the duke on Radio 4's Today programme in December 2017.

The Duke of Sussex has seen how sport can positively impact people’s mental fitness (Alex Lentati for The Evening Standard)
The pair discussed the importance of sport on young people's lives (Alex Lentati for The Evening Standard)

Afterwards, Joshua joked that he was banning the prince from one of his fights.

He said at the time: “It was phenomenal rubbing shoulders with him.

“He’s very focused, a working man and also he’s a boxing fan.

“We are doing it in his country so he likes what we are doing – bringing attention to the country.

Anthony Joshua arrives for the launch of Made by Sport (PA)
(Getty Images)

“But will he be there? No definitely not. I wouldn’t even want him there. I’d be shouting ‘Oi Harry."

Joshua even made a cheeky bid to crash Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 's wedding - by offering to be the best man.

Meanwhile at the launch event today, being staged at the Black Prince Trust's Community Sports Hub in Lambeth, south London, Harry met young people taking part in boxing training sessions.

They were led by Adams, a double Olympic gold medallist, and heavyweight fighter Joshua who had a shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in New York earlier this month, losing his IBF, WBO and WBA world titles.

They had a giggle together when they met in 2017 (REUTERS)
Champ Nicola Adams (Getty Images Europe)

Harry also heard from grassroots coaches about how they think the campaign will make a difference to young people's lives.

The Duke regularly supports projects that enable youngsters to build their skills and confidence.

He has seen how sport can positively impact people’s mental fitness and the role this has played in helping change young people’s lives.

The new dad is keen to use his position to support the great work that is already taking place across the country - to ensure that community sports groups continue to play a key role.

Prince Harry and Anthony Joshua pictured in 2017 (PA)

Boxer Adams said: “I’m delighted to support MadeBySport in its campaign to support young people from disadvantaged communities across the UK.

“Boxing has helped me — instead of hanging round on the streets, I was in the gym, learning something new, going to different gyms, different cities around the world.

"It gave me confidence, and taught me discipline, teamwork, and a lot of important life lessons. It shows how much sport can change your life.”

The campaign is the largest fundraiser ever undertaken for grassroots sport in the UK.

The boxer is supporting a new campaign supporting disadvantaged young people through sport (PA)

Joshua added: “Sport to me is more than competing. It is about the discipline and regiment it teaches you.

"The lifestyle of an athlete can be taken into any walk of life. It’s about how you can improve yourself as an individual through the power of sport.”

Justin King, chair of Made By Sport, said: “Sport has the power to change lives. "

He added: "It can teach us skills that last a lifetime and - in a world where local sports is under increasing pressure, where it’s easier to play on your phone than in a park and where joining gangs can be more glamorous than joining teams - we believe it can play a pivotal role in how young people develop.

Harry looked in good spirits as he arrived (Getty Images)

“Today marks the start of a crucial four-year journey for Made By Sport that will see the campaign champion community sports and raise much needed funds to support it across the UK.”

Yesterday we Harry and wife Meghan are off to Africa to finish Princess Diana's work on landmines.

As part of their Autumn tour, Harry will travel to Angola, where his mum famously visited in January 1997, just months before her tragic death.

The striking image of The Princess of Wales, wearing a protective visor and vest and walking through a minefield, became etched in history and highlighted the important work by the HALO Trust.

Palace aides are investigating Angola’s security situation to see if Meghan and the couple’s newborn son Archie will be able to join Harry.

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