Abuja, Nigeria – September 19, 2025 — In what would be a landmark event in boxing history, former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is reportedly in final talks to stage his first ever professional fight in Africa. The proposed venue: the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with early 2026 earmarked for the showdown.
Plans in Motion
Dr. Ezekiel Adamu, CEO of Balmoral Group and one of the promoters pushing the idea, has confirmed ongoing discussions with Joshua’s team. He says that the boxer has long expressed a desire to fight in Nigeria before retiring. “If we had an offer from Nigeria, it’s a match made in heaven,” Adamu told The Ring.
The venue under consideration is the 50,000-capacity Abuja National Stadium, which has already hosted major sporting and entertainment events.
Potential Opponents and Format
Many names are being floated as potential opponents. Among those mentioned are:
- Tony Yoka, French heavyweight of Olympic pedigree
- Martin Bakole, who has shown promise in recent fights
- Deontay Wilder, the former WBC champion with Nigerian heritage, has also expressed interest in fighting on the African continent.
Adamu suggests that an all-African contest might be ideal — both for symbolic significance and regional interest.
Significance & Challenges
If the fight is confirmed, this will mark Joshua’s first professional bout in Africa, fulfilling a long-held dream. It could also be seen as part of a larger push to raise Nigeria’s profile as a global boxing host, building on recent events such as “Chaos in the Ring” in Lagos.
However, there are logistical and strategic challenges:
- Ensuring stadium readiness (safety, facilities, seating, and infrastructure) for a global media and live audience.
- Finalizing details such as opponent, promoters, broadcast rights, ticketing, sponsorships, security, and regulatory approvals.
- Timing is delicate: Joshua is recovering from injury and preparing for a comeback; any opponent must align with his current ranking and fitness level.
Timeline & Expectations
According to sources, the fight is tentatively scheduled for early 2026. Adamu and Joshua’s team are reported to be aligning schedules, venues, and opponent logistics in the coming months to make sure all elements are in place.
Public reaction in Nigeria has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sports fans seeing the bout as an opportunity to showcase African boxing talent and infrastructure on the international stage.
Bottom line:
Anthony Joshua in Abuja would be more than just another fight. For many, it would be a long overdue return to roots — a chance to celebrate his heritage, inspire local boxers, and prove that global boxing can indeed find a home in Africa. With promoter Adamu’s confidence, government involvement, and Joshua’s expressed willingness, a historic heavyweight event in Nigeria may soon become reality.
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