Who should AJ fight next in Africa?

[Master]

Tony Yoka believes a fight with Anthony Joshua could take place in Ghana in December.

The Frenchman has been linked as a possible opponent for AJ in recent weeks as speculation ramps up over the Watford powerhouse's next steps.

"His team has just left for Ghana to see what the sports facilities are like," Yoka told L'Equipe.

"There is a possibility that the fight will take place in Africa.

"A lot of people are talking about it, and it could revive boxing in France.

"If it comes to fruition, it will indeed generate enormous interest."

Yoka succeeded Joshua as the Olympic super heavyweight gold medallist at Rio 2016, but has struggled to adjust to life in the professional ranks.

After a perfect 11-0 start, he suffered a three-fight skid to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam, and Ryad Merhy before subsequently linking up with new trainer Don Charles in an attempt to revive his career.

https://talksport.com/boxing/3466506...oka-jake-paul/

[Master]

Joshua's love for Nigeria
Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua was born in the UK in October 1989 to a Nigerian mother and a father of Nigerian and Irish descent.

Although he has always fought under a British flag, he spent part of his childhood in Nigeria, attending a boarding school, and the influence that Africa - and more specifically Nigeria - has had on him is clear for all to see and hear.

Joshua has an outline tattoo of the continent on his right shoulder, with Nigeria's border also highlighted, while he has used the music of Nigerian icons like Burna Boy and Femi Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, to accompany him on previous ring-walks.

His fights are shown on specially erected screens in front of the palace of the Akarigbo in Sagamu, the Nigerian town's paramount ruler.

"The Joshua family is well known in this town. His mother is from my domain and we are related as cousins," one of the town's traditional rulers, Oba Adewale Osiberu tells BBC Sport Africa.

"AJ is level-headed and committed to what he does. He is very humble and doesn't allow his success to get to his head. Beyond that, he loves to connect with his roots.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/68486430

[Master]

Anthony Joshua is now planning a comeback fight in February 2026 after Matchroom confirmed its expansion to Accra, Ghana for a card before Christmas.

Joshua, who has not fought since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September 2024, has dealt with injuries this year.

But a rumoured fight with fellow British heavyweight superstar appears to be in the works, following a tune-up fight.

And Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom has floated the possibility of Joshua venturing over to Africa for a fight, following the legacy of ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’.

Matchroom’s first ever show on west African soil will not include ‘AJ’, with Hearn confirming a card will take place in Accra, Ghana on 20 December and act as a “precursor” to Joshua fighting in the same location next February as the headline act.

“We're doing a show in Ghana on December 20th,” Hearn told The Ring. "Obviously this will not be an AJ show but it’s still going to be a good show.

“The idea is that this is probably a precursor for an AJ show out there, but it’s not part of our initial deal. We can just get the lay of the land with this one.

“Frank [Smith] went out there for a site visit and was impressed by what he saw. This deal is with the same people. We are working on what fighters will feature on the card at the moment.

“There will be some with Ghanaian backgrounds and then some of our own fighters as well. Then we are looking to go back there with AJ in February.”

Joshua’s next opponent remains unclear, though Nigeria-born American Kingsley Ibeh has called out the former world champion.

"We need the right platform and the right opponent to make a statement with and there'd be no better one than AJ," Ibeh told Sky Sports.

"That would be definitely a dream come true. That would be amazing. "It doesn't matter where it is, I'm ready.

"Anywhere. It doesn't matter if it's in the UK. I would love to dance with him in the O2 Arena. I would definitely stop him, no questions about that, it's going to come down to how soon or how quickly it goes."

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/anthony-jo...091151426.html

[Master]

British heavyweight Lawrence Okolie is set to headline a card in Nigeria on 19 December.

The former cruiserweight world champion's opponent in Lagos - on a card promoted by Queensberry's Frank Warren and Amir Khan - is yet to be announced.

Okolie's parents were born in Nigeria and the 32-year-old is set for his first professional bout in Africa, which is one of boxing's emerging markets.

Fellow Londoner David Adeleye is also on the undercard, with undefeated German heavyweight Emanuel Odiase also in action.

It comes as Eddie Hearn's Matchroom is expected to hold a show in Ghana on 20 December, with reports of Anthony Joshua potentially fighting in either Ghana or Nigeria at the start of next year.

"Big time boxing comes to Lagos," said Okolie, who has a record of 22 wins, 16 stoppages and one loss.

"This will be a historic moment for Africa, my family and my career.

"There's been a lot of talk, but let's see who really wants to dance...

"Thanks to Frank [Warren], George [Warren] and Queensberry for making this happen for me."

Former light-welterweight world champion Khan, the head of AK Promotions, continues his efforts to establish himself as a promoter.

The retired boxer has already co-promoted shows in Nigeria and Ghana this year and has made a point to open the door for British fighters with African heritage to compete in Africa, like Okolie and Adeleye.

"Lagos is about to witness something special," Khan said.

"This event brings together explosive heavyweights and Nigeria's rising stars.

"I'm proud to be part of a night that will inspire the next generation of African fighters."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/c2emrrdgxv3o