Anthony Joshua will realize his life-long dream of fighting in Nigeria, with promoter Dr. Ezekiel Adamu declaring plans to stage the heavyweight champion’s first professional fight on African soil early in 2026.
Dr. Adamu, CEO of Balmoral Group and the brains behind Nigeria’s highly anticipated “Chaos in the Ring” fight on October 1 in Lagos, said that talks with Joshua’s camp have been very encouraging.
I spoke to him, I spoke to his team, and they said, ‘If we had an offer from Nigeria, it’s a match made in heaven,'” Adamu told The Ring. “Joshua has always said he wants to fight in Nigeria before he retires, and we’re going to make it happen.
The suggested venue is the 50,000-seat Abuja Stadium, with promoters wanting to stage an all-African fight. Potential opponents include Tony Yoka, Martin Bakole, and Deontay Wilder, who also has Nigerian heritage.
Adamu dismissed speculation Joshua could fight in Ghana, insisting Nigeria is the natural stage for the two-time world heavyweight champion.
Joshua is Nigerian. Now we have a huge promotion and Nigeria is the biggest market. It’s a no-brainer,” he said.
Joshua was born in Watford but partially schooled in Nigeria and has often spoken about how much he loves the country. He even has the shape of Nigeria tattooed on his shoulder as a mark of pride.
Adamu thinks Nigeria can become a destination for world-class boxing. “We have the population, infrastructure, and technical expertise. October 1 is a teaser big things are on their way.”
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has already suggested the heavyweight could fight in Africa, but this is the most significant move yet to turn it into a reality.
If realized, the 2026 bout would not just fulfill Joshua’s personal dream but also a breakthrough for African boxing, opening doors for future world events on the continent.
