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Anthony Joshua vs Moses Itauma bigger than ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ if staged in Nigeria, says promoter Dr Ezekiel Adamu

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Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma

Anthony Joshua would attract massive interest if he fought Moses Itauma in Nigeria, says Nigerian promoter Dr Ezekiel Adamu; Joshua is preparing to fight Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia this month while Moses Itauma faces Flip Hrgovic at The O2 in London in August.

A “blockbuster fight” between Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma in Nigeria would create more global interest than Muhammad Ali’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, says promoter Dr Ezekiel Adamu.

Anthony Joshua

The British heavyweight stars currently have their own plans as Joshua returns against Kristian Prenga later this month before an expected all-British battle with Tyson Fury, while Itauma faces Filip Hrgovic on August 29

But Adamu believes Joshua and Itauma, who both have Nigerian heritage, could surpass Ali’s legendary fight with George Foreman in Zaire [former name of DR Congo], if they both shared the ring in Nigeria.

Moses Itauma

“It’s a global fight. We’ll get some huge numbers when it comes to viewership,” Adamu told Sky Sports.

“When you think about Africa as a whole, we have about 1.4 billion people in Africa. And then 70 to 75 per cent of that population between the ages of 15 to 30 or thereabouts. Having those eyeballs on it as well too is major.

“And then both of them are global stars. So it’s a perfect story in Africa, where they come from, from their roots.

“It’s one fight that will actually top the Rumble in the Jungle we’ve been talking about for about 50 years.

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BOXING

Promoter pushing for Anthony Joshua to fight Moses Itauma in Nigeria after Tyson Fury bout

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Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma

Work continues over the eagerly awaited fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, but Balmoral Promotions’ Ezekiel Adamu wants the latter involved in a different all-British heavyweight contest in Nigeria in 2027.

Long-standing rivals Fury and Joshua are finally set to share the ring towards the end of this year at Wembley Stadium if an agreement can be reached over a start time in London, after organiser Turki Alalshikh insisted it must begin at 2 a.m. to suit the United States audience.

Anthony Joshua

While those negotiations take place in the background, Adamu is working on a big plans of his own as Balmoral Promotions are set to host a show in Lagos on July 31 after staging successful events in 2025.

Adamu recently brought out Chris Eubank Jr to Nigeria with the ambition of him headlining in the country in December and Joshua remains a long-term target.

Joshua, who has Nigerian heritage, looked set to fight there earlier this year before he was involved in a fatal car crash last December, which killed friends Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

However, Adamu believes the former world heavyweight champion will one day fight in Nigeria and would love to help put on a show where he is up against British compatriot Moses Itauma, who has a Nigerian father and visited in 2025.

“I mean we made an offer for him to fight some time last year, but it hasn’t happened yet. I am 100 per cent certain at some point we will have Joshua fight here in Nigeria,” Adamu told the Press Association.

“For us, I’ve always said it is never about perfection, it is always about momentum. So, we keep going and hopefully get Chris to fight here in December and we’ll push on from there. We also have DAZN which is our broadcaster so things are falling in the right places.

Moses Itauma

“I had a meeting with Frank Warren as well and we spoke about it happening [with Itauma fighting in Nigeria]. He said, ‘yes, it will happen at some point,’ and hopefully next year or some time. Moses is also keen to fight here.

“Moses knows his roots and he would like to fight here. Putting on an AJ v Moses fight here would be unreal to be honest with you and a major blockbuster. That would be a hell of a blockbuster fight and probably a Netflix kind of fight, but yeah, it would be great to have that type of fight here.

“The government is supporting what we’re doing and we’ve got some big, powerful brands here. The broadcasters are keen to have these type of things happen. We’re speaking with DAZN and looking to build Africa as the next home of combat sports.”

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua sums up Moses Itauma in just one word

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Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma

Anthony Joshua has been the UK’s heavyweight superstar for over a decade and it seems as though his likely successor Moses Itauma could be on the verge of his own world title shot, and now ‘AJ’, has shared his thoughts on Itauma using just one word.

Itauma has stopped 12 of his first 14 opponents and is yet to box beyond the sixth round in his professional boxing career, but he finds himself homing in on world honours, with an August outing against Filip Hrgovic seemingly the only obstacle to a world title challenge.

Anthony Joshua

Meanwhile, Joshua began his pro career in an even more destructive style, after claiming the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, winning by stoppage in his first 20 fights – a run which lasted up until a points win in a world title unification against Joseph Parker.

Like ‘AJ’, Itauma could get his hands on the heavyweight crown in fight number 16, with Oleksandr Usyk’s vacation of three world titles opening the door to challenges against Murat Gassiev (WBA), Agit Kabayel (WBC) and for the vacant IBF title, against Frank Sanchez.

Moses Itauma

Speaking with Ring Magazine, in a game of word association, Joshua was obviously impressed by the form of the 21-year-old, labelling Britain’s hottest prospect simply as ‘talent’.

Itauma will headline in the British capital for the first time when he takes on Croatia’s Hrgovic at the O2 Arena on Saturday, August 29, as he seeks to further build his star power ahead of a world title bid, where he could potentially become the second youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history.

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