Despite Deontay Wilder’s unexpected loss to Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia last week, Nigerian-born promoter Dr Adrian Ogun has said that plans are still on for the former WBC champion to fight Anthony Joshua in Nigeria.
Adrian explained that the initiative was aimed at reigniting the interest in boxing, saying that since both boxers are of Nigerian heritage, boxing fans in the country will be excited to see their compatriots compete for glory on the global stage.
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“It will be a great spectacle seeing two Nigerians go against each other in a world title about. If this happens, it will be the first time two great boxers with Nigerian heritage clash.
“For us, this is a good score not just for the Joshua and Wilder but for the Nigerian government. It is a bragging right that is not easy to come by because it will make the job of boxing promotion in Nigeria easier because the young boxers will be challenged to strive to achieve greatly like these two role models”.
Meanwhile, Wilder claims Joshua would have retired to avoid facing him if he had won against Joseph Parker on Saturday night. The heavyweight giants were on a collision course to fight each other, provided they won their respective bouts on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua’s Manager, Eddie Hearn, confirmed that a deal had been signed for Joshua and Wilder to square off next year, but those plans have been put on hold after Wilder fell to the third defeat of his career at the hands of Joseph Parker.
The American, who had only completed one round of boxing in just over two years since his trilogy fight with Tyson Fury, showed signs of ring rust as his adversary utterly outclassed him.
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But Joshua put on one of the best performances of his career moments later, dismantling Otto Wallin en route to an impressive fifth-round stoppage win. AJ looked in complete control and showcased excellent boxing fundamentals as he quickly walked through the Swede.
But Wilder claims Joshua only put on the performance he did as he was fighting with the knowledge that he wouldn’t have to box ‘The Bronze Bomber’ in his next outing. “They don’t want that fight,” Wilder told 78SPORTSTV after his upset loss to Parker. “When I lost, did you see how happy he was coming out?
“I broke out laughing, I said, ‘That na’s happy as f.’ I made him able to perform like that. He was like, ‘I ain’t gotta fight Wilder.’
“The rumour was he was talking about retiring if I won… March 9, the fight still can go on. But this is a perfect way for them to get out.”
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