(MENAFN- GetNews)
RECORD breaking steeplechase runner Jo Ankier has made history for Team GB on the track – and has now become one of the most popular faces in the broadcasting industry. On Saturday night she played a starring role in the British heavyweight boxing showdown between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte on BT Sport and ESPN, creating some drama between Tyson's younger brother Tommy Fury and youtube/boxer Jake Paul.
So who is the lady behind the microphone? Since smashing THREE British records during her time as an international athlete, Ankier has sculpted a decade long career in presenting and live reporting.
Jo Ankier is one of the most popular TV presenters in British boxing Credit: Rex
Which includes serving as a presenter for some of the biggest events on the planet.
After instigating the Tommy Fury and Jake Paul match up during her hosting of the undercard press conference on Thursday, Jo interviewed Tommy following his win over 10-1 boxer Daniel Bocianski and asked again about Paul. Fury said:“If you want it, I'm here and I'm ready for you. I'll cut you and chop you to bits, just like I did there.”
But who exactly is the instigator she and what major sporting companies has she worked for?
Who is Jo Ankier?
Joanna Ankier commonly known as Jo was born August 5, 1989 and raised in North-West London.
Ankier, 39, attended Henrietta Barnett School before securing a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nottingham.
However, it was King's College London where the former international runner would obtain a sports law diploma to further her post-graduate education.
Credit: instagram @joankiertv
The popular TV presenter always had an interest in athletics which led her to live and train with 4 x Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah at the Endurance Centre at St.Mary's University Twickenham – alongside competing for Adidas and Great Britain.
Jo Ankier broke three British women's steeplechase records for Team GB
Credit: PA:Press Association
And by 2005, Ankier had broken three British records in the women's steeplechase event.
– 2003 – 2000m at the Birmingham AAAs Championships (6:48)
– 2004 – 1500m at the Bedford Inter Counties Championships (4:52)
– 2005 – 3000m at the Naimette – Xhovemont track in Belgium (9:50)
Which helped her land a spot on the official video for the successful London Olympic bid also starring David Beckham, Amir Khan and other notable British athletes.
After participating in 134 national and international events, Jo decided to wrap up her ten year athletics career in 2008.
But shortly after, an anchor role with Chelsea FC TV set the tone for Ankier to become a star in the media and broadcasting sector.
Who has Jo Ankier worked for?
Jo began began her media career with Sky Sports News as a production junior learning editing, script writing and production.
However, the former athlete featured on the Chelsea FC TV's Blues News filmed at Stamford Bridge before embarking on her seven-year long journey in America with ESPN.
Since then, Ankier has gone on to cover some of the biggest sporting events with BBC London Radio, Fox Soccer Channel, The Tennis Channel, Liverpool FC, CBS America, KDOC-TV, Los Angeles, Chivas USA, Vice News, TLN News and Vocative.
She has also hosted the ESPN international's global red carpet show as well as reporting solo for International News Channel TRT World becoming their FIFA World Cup correspondent and presenting for their flagship live studio show“Beyond the Game”.
But the steeplechase star's involvement with the Olympics is what has really put her name on the grand stage – having covered events at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Jo Ankier currently serves as a presenter for BT Sport Boxing and“Behind The Gloves”.
Her roles include reporting before major events alongside providing post-fight reaction for“FIGHT NGHT LIVE”.
Thus meaning the former international athlete was been heavily involved in the build up and fight night for arguably Britain's biggest boxing match, WBC Heavyweight and Ring Magazine Champion Tyson Fury's sixth round win over Dillian Whyte.
Her role included being at the face-to-face weigh in between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte on Friday, April 22, interviewing Dillian after he scaled and on screens for the post-fight interviews of the undercard boxers.
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