British-Nigerian heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is poised for a long-awaited return to Nigeria for a fight anticipated to occur in early 2026.
The announcement came from Nigerian promoter, Dr. Ezekiel Adamu, CEO of Balmoral Group and son of veteran sports administrator, Dr. Amos Adamu.
He confirmed that discussions with Joshua’s team are progressing positively, with plans to hold the match at the renowned Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, which has a capacity of 50,000.
“Joshua has always expressed his desire to fight in Nigeria before retiring, and we are making that a reality,” Adamu said.
“If we received an offer from Nigeria, it would be a perfect fit.”
The highly anticipated fight, aimed for the first quarter of 2026, may feature another African opponent.
Potential contenders include France’s Yoka, Congo’s Martin Bakole, and former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, who also has Nigerian roots.
Adamu dismissed rumors that Ghana could host Joshua’s African debut, emphasizing that Nigeria is the obvious choice.
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“Joshua is Nigerian. Nigeria is the largest market. It makes perfect sense for him to fight here,” he asserted.
Joshua, who was born in Watford, England, spent part of his childhood in Nigeria and has a tattoo of the country’s map on his shoulder.
Adamu expressed optimism that Nigeria is set to become a global boxing center, pointing to the upcoming “Chaos in the Ring” event in Lagos on October 1 as evidence of the country’s ability to host top-tier events.
While Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has hinted at the possibility of a fight in Africa, Adamu’s initiative appears to be the most developed.
If successful, the 2026 matchup would mark a significant milestone for African boxing, potentially paving the way for more high-profile fights on the continent.
