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Many of us have experienced the crippling symptoms of FIFA 16 addiction. Lack of sleep. Broken Xbox/PlayStation controllers. The fervent desire to beat the living daylights out of that cocky American kid smugly winding you up over your headset.

We had previously thought it was only those of us with nothing better to do who suffered with this condition. Now it turns out that, until recently, the new heavyweight champion of the world was a fellow victim of FIFA's seductive charms.

In fact, Anthony Joshua had one of the worst cases of FIFA addiction we've encountered. So bad, it could have cost him his shot at glory.

“I used to play FIFA until it affected boxing," the new IBF heavweight champ told The Sun.

(Image: Reuters)

“I had to stop playing because it affected my sleep and recovery. I could stay up till five in the morning playing it, get up at seven and train.

“That’s how mad it was, it wasn't healthy.”

READ MORE: Anthony Joshua uses THAT Jamie Vardy line

Quite a thought, isn't it? One of the most naturally talented boxers on the planet having his world title challenge derailed by one (admittedly brilliant) football game. It also poses two questions.

If FIFA 16 is AJ's Kryptonite, how do the likes of David Haye and Tyson Fury go about exploiting this weakness? Do they simply try to ensure there are consoles and copies of the game everywhere the new champ goes?

And secondly, can you imagine the sort of damage Joshua must do to his living room when the inevitable FIFA rage strikes?

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