Federal Government to invite Anthony Joshua to Nigeria

Anthony Joshua (L) and Wladimir Klitschko trade punches during the WBA and IBF championship fight at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night

The Federal Government is working out plans to invite the newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua to Nigeria.

Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by his assistant on media, Segun Adeyemi, quoting Joshua as saying he is looking forward to giving something back to the country.

The minister congratulated British professional boxer of Nigerian descent for defeating Ukranian Wladimir Klitschko to become the unified World Heavyweight champion.

The minister also said, “Nigeria is proud to be associated with the new unified World champion, whose Nigerian heritage he has publicly acknowledged”.

He hailed Joshua for his humility, despite his success in boxing, and his undying spirit, coming off the canvas after he was knocked down by Klitschko in the sixth round to win by a Technical Knock Out in the 11th round of their pulsating fight.

Alhaji Mohammed therefore promised that government will soon invite the new World Heavyweight Champion to Nigeria.

Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua defended his IBF heavyweight title and fought for the vacant WBA (Super) and IBO heavyweight titles against Wladimir Klitschko on April 29, before a 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.

Anthony, a 27-year-old heavyweight boxer with a nickname “AJ”, is the currently undefeated professional boxer, with 17 wins and an incredible 18 knockouts.