by Kelly Eric Ehor | Jan 30, 2025 | Boxing, Nigeria
British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua has been accused of avoiding a professional rematch with Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang, whom he defeated at the London 2012 Olympics.
Zhang’s manager, Terry Lane, told Sky Sports that Joshua has repeatedly declined opportunities to face Zhang in the professional ring.
“I think it’s the worst-kept secret in boxing that AJ wants no part of Zhilei. There have been chances for them to fight, but it’s clear Joshua isn’t interested. He just wants to avoid the fight, which is unfortunate,” Lane stated.
While Joshua may be holding out for a potential showdown with Tyson Fury—who announced his retirement in early January—Zhang is set to face Agit Kabayel on February 22 for the interim WBC world title.
Once regarded as having one of the strongest résumés in heavyweight boxing, Joshua is now facing criticism for allegedly dodging a fellow top contender.
After securing Olympic gold in 2012, Joshua quickly climbed the professional ranks, securing major victories over Dillian Whyte, Charles Martin, and Wladimir Klitschko to unify heavyweight titles. However, his career took a hit after losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 and back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk. Despite recent wins, a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September has left Joshua without a title and limited options for the future.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Jan 27, 2025 | Nigeria, Other Sports
Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has declared his intention to bring excitement back to the division ahead of his highly anticipated return against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Riyadh next month.
Speaking with MMA Junkie, the Nigerian-born fighter expressed confidence in his ability to reignite the buzz in the middleweight category.
“Without me, middleweight is getting boring. So, it’s time to make it interesting,” Adesanya stated. “For the fans, the preparation might seem dull, but the fight itself will be thrilling. For me, it’s about proving I’m still the best.”
Ahead of the February 1 clash, the 35-year-old has been training alongside former rival Robert Whittaker, a partnership that surprised many fans and UFC stars. Whittaker, whom Adesanya defeated twice during his championship reign, sees his former opponent as the favorite.
“I’d have to lean into Izzy being the favorite. Like, he’s so good at what he does,” Whittaker remarked on his YouTube channel. “But Imavov’s a bit of a dog. He can go the distance and push the pace. He might aim to force Izzy into making errors, much like Dricus Du Plessis did.”
Adesanya’s upcoming bout marks his return following back-to-back losses to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305. A win against the fifth-ranked Imavov could set the stage for another title shot or a number-one contender fight.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Jan 27, 2025 | International, Nigeria, Other Sports
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has provided a $5,000 (N7,560,000) boost to Nigeria’s campaign at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia. The announcement was made on Sunday, ahead of the Junior Female Yellow Greens’ crucial Super 6 clash against Ireland on Wednesday.
In addition, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade personally contributed $1,000 (N1,512,000) to team captain Piety Lucky for her request to purchase a laptop. Messages of support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko were also conveyed, with promises of further incentives for subsequent victories.
The team is chasing history at the 16-nation tournament and remains in contention for a semi-final spot despite their first Super 6 game against England being washed out. With three points, Nigeria currently ranks third in Super Six Group 2, trailing South Africa (6 points) and England (4 points). A better net run rate keeps them ahead of the USA in fourth.
Notably, the Nigerian side caused a major upset earlier in the tournament, defeating New Zealand by two runs in the group stage. The team, which had set a semi-final target before the tournament, is focused on achieving this goal as they face Ireland at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi, on Wednesday.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Jan 27, 2025 | Nigeria, Other Sports
Paralympians Isau Ogunkunle and Faith Obazuaye headline the 56th Molade Okoya-Thomas National Table Tennis Championship, which kicks off today in Lagos.
As the longest-running table tennis tournament in Africa, dating back to 1968, this year marks the first time it will be held on a national scale. Over 350 players from 21 states and 67 clubs will compete in 13 categories over six days.
Isau Ogunkunle, Africa’s sole table tennis medallist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, leads the Ogun State contingent and aims to become the first Class 1-5 player to win the men’s singles title. Faith Obazuaye, a two-time Paralympian and Commonwealth Games medallist, will represent Edo State in the Women’s Class 6-10 para category.
Ogunkunle expressed his excitement about the competition’s expansion, noting it provides para players a valuable platform to showcase their skills. “The tournament becoming national is a great opportunity for us as players. It allows us to test our abilities and showcase our talents,” he said.
Tournament referee John Peters highlighted the record turnout, describing it as the largest in the championship’s history. He believes the event will help identify and nurture new talent for the global stage.
The championship promises to deliver thrilling competition with a lineup of the nation’s top players.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Jan 27, 2025 | Nigeria, Other Sports
Paralympic bronze medalist Eniola Bolaji has once again made history by securing gold at the Egypt Para Badminton International 2025 on Sunday.
In a dominant display, Bolaji defeated Sweden’s Hillevi Salomonsson 2-0 (21-1, 21-2) in the women’s SL3 final, cementing her position as one of the sport’s top players.
Throughout the tournament, the African champion showcased her exceptional skill, securing straight-set victories against Shahinda Mohamed (21-7, 21-2), Basma Nabil-Fawzy (21-6, 21-4), and Elizabeth Puma (21-2, 21-4).
The Badminton World Federation revealed that Bolaji has participated in 10 international championships over the past two years, winning all of them—a testament to her unparalleled consistency and dominance in Para Badminton.
Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, lauded Bolaji’s achievement, emphasizing its significance for Nigerian sports.
“Eniola Bolaji’s gold medal at the Egypt International 2025 is a testament to her unparalleled talent and dedication. As the first and only African medalist in Para Badminton at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, she has once again brought immense pride to Nigeria. Winning 10 consecutive international tournaments is no small feat; she is a national treasure and a global icon,” Orbih stated.
He also reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to hosting world-class events, including the Para Badminton International Championship and the All Africa Para Badminton Championship in Abia State this October.
“The Badminton Federation of Nigeria, in collaboration with Abia State, is determined to deliver a successful Para Badminton International Championship and the All-African Para Badminton Championship. We are fully committed to meeting and exceeding international standards,” Orbih added.
