Anthony Joshua Reveals He Reached Out To Stormzy After Maya Jama Pic Sparked Dating Rumours

The heavyweight boxer found himself at the centre of romance speculation after posing for a photo with the Radio 1 presenter.

Boxer Anthony Joshua has revealed he reached out to Stormzy after a photo of him and the rapper’s ex-girlfriend Maya Jama sparked rumours that they were an item.

Last week, Anthony and Maya were at the centre of rumours after the Radio 1 presenter shared a photo of them in a boxing gym with the caption: “Working with this one today.”

Social media was quick to suggest that sparks were flying between the pair, even though they were only actually working together on a project for Lucozade Sport.

Anthony has now revealed that amid the furore, he reached out to Stormzy – his friend, and Maya’s ex – to set the record straight.

“So I took a little picture with one of my friends’ – a musician – his ex, in the gym and it gets blown out of proportion,” he explained at a New York roundtable interview, ahead of his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr (via Metro).

“We were just working on a shoot. then me and him spoke and I said, ‘It’s the bloggers’ job to blog, it’s the social media guy’s job to make good social content, it’s the internet guy’s job to make clickbait’. So people take it how they want.” 

Open Image Modal
Stormzy at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards
David Fisher/Shutterstock

Shortly before the photo of Anthony and Maya sparked rumours, Stormzy was forced to speak out over speculation he had cheated on his ex with fellow musician Jorja Smith.

“I can confirm any accusations or reports surrounding Stormzy’s infidelity to Maya are categorically not true,” a spokesperson for the chart-topping rapper told Metro.

Stormzy and Maya confirmed news of their split in August after four years together.

Celebs Who Handled Their Splits Like A Boss
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake(01 of11)
Open Image Modal
Let's be honest, break-ups can be messy, particularly in the glare of the spotlight, so it's good to see when two celebrities can put their differences aside and still be friends, as Cameron and Justin did - even eventually going on to star in 'Bad Teacher' together. (credit:Jim Spellman via Getty Images)
Harry Styles(02 of11)
Open Image Modal
No one is exactly sure what happened between Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, but even after she appeared to mock him during an awards show performance, he's had nothing but good things to say about her and her music in the press.

Whether he's genuinely happy for her, or he's simply killing her with kindness is unclear, but either way, we could all learn a thing or two from Hazza.
(credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
Jennifer Aniston(03 of11)
Open Image Modal
And speaking of how to flawlessly handle a break-up... The media coverage surrounding Jennifer Aniston for the decade after her split from Brad Pitt, was often unnecessary, cruel and steeped in sexism.

Through it all, though, she kept her head high, continued working and, more importantly, smiling away, despite what was said about her in the press.

Now she's one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, and is married to her long-time partner, Justin Theroux.
(credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
Mariah Carey(04 of11)
Open Image Modal
When she and the father of her two children, Nick Cannon, split, Mariah was determined not to give the press the dirt they were craving.

So much so, when approached by a TMZ reporter, Mimi said simply: "Oh, it's much too hot to talk."

Flawless.
(credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
Elin Nordegren(05 of11)
Open Image Modal
Elin Nordegren - better known as the former Mrs Tiger Woods - is our personal break-up hero.

So, your husband has repeatedly cheated on you and the world's media are talking about it? Whatever.

Elin's attitude throughout the scandal was flawless: head down, sunglasses on ... and just wait for that divorce settlement to roll in. Props to you, Elin.
(credit:Orlando Sentinel via Getty Images)
Katy Perry(06 of11)
Open Image Modal
However, sometimes it's difficult to pretend you're anything other than hurt. And do you know what? That's OK too.

In showing her vulnerable side in her documentary film, 'Part Of Me', Katy undoubtedly assured a lot of people that it's not about how hard you fall, it's how you get back up again.
(credit:JB Lacroix via Getty Images)
Gwyneth Paltrow(07 of11)
Open Image Modal
Gwyneth Paltrow hasn't had a bad word to say about Chris Martin ever since they "consciously uncoupled" in 2014, and even spoke favourably about his relationship with Jennifer Lawrence.

Instead, she focused on her own career, her family and friends, and the continuing growth of her site, Goop. Now that's how you tackle a break-up like a boss.
(credit:Sonia Moskowitz via Getty Images)
Katie Price(08 of11)
Open Image Modal
Perhaps not quite to this extent, but sometimes a night out with your friends can be just the thing to get you through a break-up, as Katie Price proved when she flew to Ibiza, shortly after splitting up from Peter Andre. (credit:Dave Wood via Getty Images)
Jennifer Lopez(09 of11)
Open Image Modal
Determined not to let anyone paint her as a victim, J-Lo bounced back from her split with Marc Anthony by getting together with a far younger man.

Nice one, Jen.
(credit:Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images)
Perrie Edwards(10 of11)
Open Image Modal
Similarly, the world of entertainment journalism seemed determined to paint Perrie Edwards as a victim when she broke up with ex-fiancé Zayn Malik, particularly when he quickly got together with Gigi Hadid.

How did she respond to that? With independence anthem 'Shout Out To My Ex', which quickly topped the UK singles chart, and bagged Little Mix their first ever Brit Award.
(credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Adele(11 of11)
Open Image Modal
And then, of course, there's Adele, who managed to turn her disastrous break-up to her advantage and bag herself a wheelbarrow of Grammys, which we have all the admiration in the world for.

What was it Beyoncé said about 'lemons' and 'lemonade' again..?
(credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)