By Charles Pemu 
British political activist and charity worker Nick Buckley MBE has ignited a firestorm of criticism following a series of social media posts targeting former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Buckley, a former Reform UK mayoral candidate, described the Nigerian British boxer as a “good example of what is wrong with mass immigration,” leading to widespread accusations of racism and xenophobia.
The comments, posted on Saturday, December 20, via X (formerly Twitter), came just hours after Joshua’s dominant victory over Jake Paul in Miami—a fight that left the YouTuber-turned-boxer with a double-fractured jaw.
The Allegations: Racism and ‘Third World Flags’
Buckley’s critique focused on Joshua’s dual heritage and past activism. He labeled the boxer an “anti-white racist,” citing a speech Joshua delivered during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests where he encouraged the support of Black-owned businesses.
Buckley further attacked Joshua’s habit of displaying the Nigerian flag alongside the Union Jack during his professional bouts.
“Secondly, he waves around a third world flag as if it is worthy of respect and represents him,” Buckley wrote. “My prediction—he will only ever live in white countries and never live in Nigeria. Ungrateful hypocrite.”
In subsequent posts, Buckley argued that Joshua’s identity is an attack on British culture, linking it to what he calls “Anglophobia.”
Global Backlash: ‘The Problem is You’
The reaction from the digital community was swift and overwhelmingly negative. High-profile users and sports fans defended Joshua’s right to acknowledge his Nigerian roots while representing Great Britain on the world stage.
- Matthew Stadlen, a prominent British journalist, replied directly: “Your posts are good examples of racism, Nick.”
- Big Wiz (@WisdomMatic) noted the absurdity of the critique: “He’s literally a British boxer and has represented Britain throughout his career. Let the man acknowledge his heritage. That doesn’t make him any less British.”
- Another user, @baresaremean, warned that Buckley’s rhetoric was counterproductive: “People like you are why people become anti-white racists. The problem is you… What we need to remove from society is you, not them.”
Nick Buckley is no stranger to the center of a cultural storm. Awarded an MBE in 2019 for his work with the homeless in Manchester, his career took a sharp turn in 2020 when he was fired from his own charity, The Mancunian Way, following an article critical of the BLM movement. He was later reinstated after a legal battle.
Politically, Buckley has moved through several right-wing circles, representing Reform UK in the 2021 Greater Manchester mayoral race before running as an independent in 2024. He is currently an advisor for the far-right party Advance UK.
Joshua’s Identity: A Duel Heritage
Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua has long been celebrated as a symbol of multicultural Britain. Born in Watford to Nigerian parents, he has consistently balanced his British nationality with his Yoruba heritage—a fact that has made him an icon in both the UK and Nigeria.
As of Sunday afternoon, Joshua has not responded to Buckley’s remarks, focusing instead on his medical clearance following the Miami bout.