AEW’s Anthony Ogogo reveals role Kurt Angle friendship played during transition into wrestling

AEW star Anthony Ogogo has revealed the inspiration he has taken from Kurt Angle as he prepares for a career-defining flagship match against Cody Rhodes at Double Or Nothing.

The retired boxer – who won bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games in London – struck up a friendship with the legendary athlete after they met at an IMPACT Wrestling show two years later, and he’s been there to offer support.

He exclusively told Metro.co.uk: ‘Kurt Angle and I are friends. I met him in 2014 after the Olympics. We spoke Olympics, we spoke wrestling. I met him at a show – I’ve been a wrestling fan my entire life, I met him at a show at Wembley Arena.

‘We became friends, he gave me his number and email, we talk all the time. He helped me a lot in my demise from boxing – I was in a really bad way. He’s been through some bad times in his life, and he helped me.

‘He didn’t guide me really, but someone to talk to. Someone to talk to, someone who’s similar to me in terms of mindset and desire.’

Ogogo – who has been open about his struggles when his boxing career ended due to an eye injury – noted that they both suffered ‘great adversity’, with former WWE star Angle winning a gold medal in wrestling at the 1996 games with a broken neck.

‘To get to an Olympic Games, then win a medal, suffer great adversity and then come back and be successful still – it requires a certain something inside which is hard to explain,’ he added.

‘He’s got it in spades, I’ve got it in spades. So we spoke, and I told him I wanted to become a wrestler. He goes, “Mate, I’m so happy for you!” He’s always been great, he’s always been open to talk to me.’

There’s an added layer of emotion there for Ogogo, who still recalls the first match he ever watched as a kid, which pitted Angle against Taz at the Royal Rumble in 2000.

‘I’ve been in love with this business since that,’ he smiled. ‘He’s a big inspiration to me – not so much in ring, because we’re very different styles, but outside the ring and as a person, he’s someone I look up to.’

However, more than any wrestler or athlete as a whole, the 32-year-old star’s ‘biggest inspiration’ will always be his mum.

‘Single parent, she raised me and my four sisters on her own, worked full time with three jobs. We never went without a meal, we never went to school with dirty clothes,’ he said with obvious pride.

‘I have no idea how she did it. So, that’s the only inspiration I need, really.’

He looked at the way she provided for her family, and it gave him strength to reach the top of his game, and to move onto AEW itself after his boxing career was cut short.

‘That’s as much inspiration as I need in life. If she can do that, then I can go and become world champion in wrestling,’ he said.

‘If she can do that, I can have my boxing dream taken away from me, get back up, and be successful in something else. She is my inspiration – the top time, and the low times.’

Another factor helping Ogogo – who is brimming with confidence before Sunday’s epic show – is his work ethic and almost unmatched drive.

He’s happy to have a strict routine again, having benefited from that in his boxing days, and he’s ready to make the most of his first pay-per-view wrestling match.

‘I know Monday morning I’m in the gym lifting weights, evening I’m in the wrestling school getting better, Tuesday and Wednesday the same, Dynamite on TV. I like a regimented life,’ he explained.

‘As hard as it is and demanding as it is, that’s what I’m all about. I’m good at things because I push myself and I’m very dedicated.’

However, it’s clear Ogogo is just getting started.

‘I’m very proud of myself for being where I’m at, but this is only the beginning,’ he said. ‘Hopefully I’ll be talking to you in five or 10 years time saying, “Wow, what a journey!” And it all started this Sunday.’

*Anthony Ogogo and Cody Rhodes face off at AEW Double Or Nothing on Sunday (May 30). UK fans can tune in via Fite TV.

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