By Sport Analyst
Emmanuel Afonja
British-Nigerian heavyweight star Anthony Joshua is set to fulfill his long-cherished dream of fighting in Nigeria, with plans underway for a landmark bout in early 2026.
Promoter Dr. Ezekiel Adamu, CEO of Balmoral, confirmed that negotiations with Joshua’s camp have been highly encouraging. He revealed that the two-time world champion is eager to step into the ring on Nigerian soil before the end of his career.
“I spoke with him, I spoke with his team, and they already said to me, ‘If we had an offer from Nigeria, it’s a match made in heaven,’” Adamu told The Ring. “Joshua has always said that before he retires, he wants to fight in Nigeria — and we are going to make that happen.”
The blockbuster event is expected to take place at Abuja’s 50,000-capacity National Stadium, with organizers eyeing an all-African showdown. Possible opponents mentioned include French-Congolese fighter Tony Yoka, Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole, and even former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, who has Nigerian heritage.
Adamu dismissed speculation that Joshua might instead fight in Ghana, stressing that Nigeria remains the natural and symbolic choice. “I heard rumours about Joshua fighting in Ghana, and I laughed it off. Joshua is Nigerian, and Nigeria is the biggest market. It’s a no-brainer,” he said.
Joshua, born in Watford but educated partly in Nigeria, has proudly celebrated his heritage, including a tattoo of the country’s map on his shoulder. A fight in Abuja would represent a deeply personal milestone while also signaling a new era for African boxing.
“This is just the start,” Adamu added. “We’ve got the infrastructure, the population, and the technical know-how. October 1’s ‘Chaos in the Ring’ event in Lagos is just a preview of what Nigeria can offer the boxing world.”
Joshua’s long-awaited homecoming bout could serve as a turning point for African boxing, opening the door to more international fights on the continent while cementing his legacy both as a global superstar and a proud son of Nigeria.
