Anthony Joshua has taken some massive punches during his pro boxing career, but one stands out from his amateur days.
From the beating by Andy Ruiz Jr., the 24 rounds with Oleksandr Usyk, the war with Wladimir Klitschko where he was repeatedly hurt, and getting clipped by Alexander Povetkin, Joshua has felt some heavy shots.
However, when asked by Men's Health about the most pain he ever felt, Joshua revealed it was a punch from his amateur days that he'll "never forget."
"I remember a tough 2011 fight, the final of the World Championships against an Azerbaijani fighter. He had knocked out everyone to reach the final. We had a real brawl, he was so strong," Joshua recalled.
"I was inexperienced, making silly mistakes, and I walked into one of his punches. Force meeting force. Boom! I'll never forget that punch. I lost by one point. So there was emotional and physical pain."
The opponent Joshua referred to was Azerbaijani amateur stalwart Mahammadrasul Majidov, who also turned pro with Eddie Hearn but lacked Joshua's success.
If Joshua ever fights Deontay Wilder, Majidov's punch may fall to second-hardest Joshua's felt, given Wilder's devastating power.
However, despite assurances all year the Wilder fight was "locked in," talks have completely stalled.