British boxer Anthony Joshua has said that he would “definitely love” to
defend his heavyweight titles in Nigeria after defeating Andy Ruiz in
their rematch, the Independent has reported.
British boxer Anthony Joshua said this after winning the heavyweight
boxing match against Andy Ruiz Jr. for the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles
in Diriya, near the Saudi capital on December 7, 2019.
The IBF, WBO and WBA champion recovered from a devastating upset in his
first fight against the Mexican-American to reclaim the belts via a wide
unanimous decision in Saudi Arabia.J
Joshua, who is of Nigerian heritage, visited the country between the two
fights and is keen to bring the first world heavyweight title fight to
the continent since the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, has received numerous offers to stage Joshua’s
next fight.
However, with the Briton likely to be forced to face his mandatory
challenger with the IBF, Kubrat Pulev, a London homecoming fight remains
a more immediate probability.
“People had been telling me I should go back for ages. It was crazy
because they don’t have 24-hour electricity but they still know me and
support me,” Joshua said.
“I WENT TO THE GHETTOS OF THE GHETTOS WHERE IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT EGOS AND
BEEF, IT’S ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE HUNGRY TO SURVIVE.
“It was one of the best things I’ve done. Africa’s rooting for me for
sure, so I would definitely love to fight out there.”
Joshua’s parents are both of Nigerian descent and he actually attempted
to represent the country at the 2008 Olympics.
But in the meantime, he insisted he’s not taking his eyes off the
present after the lessons learned in his first fight against Ruiz.
“Five months from now, the belts go in the air and I have to defend them
again,” Joshua said.
“I am only the champion for months again, so I can’t get too caught up
in the moment and have to stay focused on the task at hand, which is not
staying undefeated any more, but staying champion for as long as
possible.