By Charles Pemu 
LAGOS – Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is poised to fulfill his long-held dream of fighting on Nigerian soil. Promoter Ezekiel Adamu, CEO of the Balmoral Group, has announced plans to stage the British-Nigerian’s first professional bout in Africa in the first quarter of 2026.
According to Adamu, who is also behind the “Chaos in the Ring” event in Lagos, discussions with Joshua’s team have been very positive. “Joshua has always said that before he ends his career, he wants to fight in Nigeria, and we are going to make that fight happen,” he told The Ring magazine.
The promoter hopes to hold the historic event at the 50,000-capacity Abuja Stadium, with plans for an all-African contest. Potential opponents include France’s Tony Yoka and Congolese fighter Martin Bakole. Adamu also mentioned American heavyweight Deontay Wilder, who has Nigerian ancestry, as a possible contender who has expressed interest in fighting in Africa.
Adamu dismissed the idea of the fight taking place in Ghana, insisting that Nigeria, as the “biggest market,” is the natural choice for Joshua, who has strong ties to the country. The former two-time world heavyweight champion spent part of his childhood in Nigeria and has a tattoo of the country’s outline on his shoulder.
The promoter believes Nigeria has the necessary infrastructure and talent to become a major hub for heavyweight boxing and sees the upcoming October 1 event as a “sneak peek” of what’s to come. This proposed bout, if it materializes, would be a landmark moment for African boxing and could pave the way for more high-profile fights on the continent.