African Games gold medallist, Patricia Mbata, has revealed that her journey into the world of boxing began unexpectedly in 2019 when she took up the sport as a hobby. The 2023 African Games champion, who now proudly represents Nigeria on the continental stage, opened up about her rapid rise in boxing and the influential figures who continue to shape her aspirations—chief among them, British-Nigerian heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua.
Before finding her path in the ring, Mbata dabbled in other sports such as athletics, football, and netball during her school years. Boxing, she confessed, wasn’t even on her radar. That changed after she stepped into the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club in North London—the same gym where Anthony Joshua began his meteoric rise. There, surrounded by talent and camaraderie, Mbata found her footing and never looked back.
She recalled the inspiration she drew from Joshua, who, like her, shares Nigerian roots and emerged from humble beginnings to conquer the boxing world. “I trained at Finchley, not even knowing the full legacy of the club. Joshua is someone I look up to. He has always inspired me. We’ve had conversations, and one thing he always says is, ‘Just do it.’ That stuck with me. It’s now my motto.”
Despite her passion and hard work, the Olympic qualifiers in Senegal proved a tough hurdle, where Mbata narrowly missed securing a ticket to Paris 2024. But rather than letting the disappointment define her, she channelled it into determination. Just days after that setback, she headed to Accra, Ghana, for the African Games and delivered a statement performance, clinching gold for Team Nigeria in the women’s boxing event.
“Winning that gold meant everything to me. I had something to prove—not just to others, but to myself. The atmosphere, the competition—it was my first time competing on that scale, and I gave it my all,” Mbata said, beaming with pride.
Her triumph in Accra didn’t go unnoticed. Anthony Joshua himself publicly praised her for her achievement, an endorsement Mbata regards as deeply meaningful. “To have someone like Joshua, whom I admire, recognise my win—it’s incredibly motivating. We share a similar journey, and I try to mirror his discipline and drive.”
Mbata’s rise hasn’t been without milestones. She also bagged silver at the 2023 African Boxing Championships, a feat she says validated the countless hours of training she’s dedicated to her craft. Though she narrowly missed gold, she views the experience as a stepping stone in her evolving career.
In terms of strategy, Mbata explained that her focus is always on playing to her strengths, rather than being consumed by the style of her opponents. She works closely with her coaches to refine her techniques and prepare mentally and physically for each bout.
“Boxing is just as much mental as it is physical. I make sure to strike a balance—my training is structured around building stamina, speed, and strength, but also mental resilience.”
Representing Nigeria, she says, has been one of the proudest moments of her career so far. “When I got the call-up from the Nigerian Boxing Federation, it was emotional. To wear the green and white and fight for my country—it’s more than just sport, it’s honour.”
Looking ahead, Mbata’s dreams remain bold and unwavering. Her eyes are firmly set on the Olympic Games and the world championship titles. “I want to bring an Olympic gold medal home for Nigeria. I believe in my ability, and I’m ready to put in the work. This is just the beginning.”
To young boxers and dreamers, she offered one piece of advice: “Chase the dream, no matter how impossible it seems. If it lives in your spirit and you breathe it every day, then it’s worth the fight.”
