Anthony Joshua to Fight in Nigeria in Early 2026, Promoter Confirms

British-Nigerian heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua is preparing to realise a long-held dream by staging his first professional fight in Nigeria, with plans underway for a blockbuster bout in early 2026.

Dr. Ezekiel Adamu, CEO of Balmoral Group and one of the promoters behind the initiative, confirmed that discussions with Joshua’s camp are at an advanced stage.

He revealed that the fight is expected to take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, which has a seating capacity of around 50,000.

“This is a historic opportunity,” Adamu said. “Anthony has always spoken about fighting in Nigeria, and now we are making it a reality. If we had an offer from Nigeria, it’s a match made in heaven.”

While the exact date has not been finalised, organisers are targeting the first quarter of 2026. Several possible opponents are being considered, including France’s Tony Yoka, Congo’s Martin Bakole, and former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, who shares Nigerian heritage.

Any of these matchups would guarantee global attention, with Wilder in particular carrying symbolic weight should he agree to face Joshua on African soil.

Joshua, a two-time heavyweight world champion, has repeatedly expressed his desire to fight in Nigeria before the end of his career. The bout would mark his first professional appearance in Africa, a milestone reminiscent of Muhammad Ali’s famous “Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman in Zaire (now DR Congo) in 1974.

The Nigerian government is reportedly backing the effort, seeing the event as a chance to boost sports tourism, international visibility, and national pride.

Analysts believe hosting a fight of this magnitude could showcase Nigeria as a destination for global sporting events and inspire a new generation of boxers across the continent.

For Joshua, the fight represents more than just another step in his career. It is a personal journey back to his roots, one that fans in Nigeria and beyond have long awaited.

With preparations gathering pace, anticipation is building for what could become one of the most significant sporting nights in Africa in decades