Two-time heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Nigeria as he departs the country to prepare for his next bout.
The British-Nigerian fighter, who has been recovering from injury in his ancestral homeland, shared a touching message on Instagram, thanking Nigerians for their support during his stay.
“Nigeria, thank you for your energy, generosity & kindness,” Joshua wrote—a message fans took as his farewell note before returning to the UK.
Supporters flooded the comments with encouragement. Gbadia Figheghawei wrote, “Go and take over the world, my brother,” while Olumayowa Odejimi predicted a third title win, saying, “We are behind you champ 3x.” Another fan, @iamdx2, added, “You have refuelled your energy, we want you to go and take back your world belts.”
Joshua’s visit to Nigeria was filled with memorable moments. He made headlines for getting a street-side haircut that went viral, walking freely among locals, and embracing the vibrant street culture. His deep connection to the country is evident—he carries a tattoo of Africa on his shoulder, with Nigeria outlined prominently.
He also visited his hometown of Sagamu, an event that trended heavily on social media, and attended the birthday celebration of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, rubbing shoulders with several Nigerian billionaires. His lively interactions, including a viral moment with his chef, further endeared him to fans.
As Joshua heads back to England, he resumes preparations for what could be the final chapter of his illustrious boxing career. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, hinted that 2025 may be Joshua’s last year in the ring.
“This is the final year. Let’s not beat around the bush,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “He’s going to have somewhere between – it could always be your last fight – but one and three fights, that’s the reality of the situation.”
Joshua is returning from an injury sustained during a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley last September.
Meanwhile, former WBC champion Deontay Wilder has reignited talks of a potential superfight, expressing hope for a blockbuster clash with Joshua in 2026 as he plots his own comeback.
In a lighter twist, controversial Nigerian street-pop star Portable jokingly threw his hat in the ring, claiming he’s ready to take on Joshua following his “victory” over Speed Darlington. “Now that I’ve beaten Speed Darlington, it is only Anthony Joshua I can fight now,” Portable told PUNCH Sports Extra, continuing his playful callout with a proposed N100 million showdown.
