Nigerian boxing legend Jerry Okorodudu had claimed that Joshua who is born to an Irish-Nigerian father, Robert and a Nigerian mother was rejected when he wanted to represent Nigeria at the 2012 Olympic Games.

"He asked to join the Nigerian trials but they told him if he was good enough he'd fight for England," Okorodudu told .

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Konyegwachi, however, dismissed the claim stating that the 27-year-old never wanted to represent Nigeria.

“I am surprised and shocked about this talk of Anthony Joshua being turned down by the Nigeria Boxing Federation for the London 2012 Olympics,” Konyegwachi told newsmen on Friday, April 28.

“For the records, Joshua only sparred with my boxers in London, he was already in the Great Britain team.

“Since we were all together, we just decided to conduct a sparring session which Joshua was involved in. So, for me, this talk about him not given the opportunity to represent Nigeria is nonsense, some people are just being mischievous.”

Joshua went into the 2012 London Olympics as a British fight and won Gold for Great Britain.

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to boxing.

On Saturday, in front of 90, 000 people at Wembley and with millions watching all over the world, Joshua became the WBF and IBF Heavyweight champion of the world by beating veteran Wladimir Klitschko.