Anthony Joshua Set for Historic Homecoming Fight in Nigeria in 2026

Anthony Joshua is set to fulfil his long-held dream of fighting in Nigeria, with promoter Ezekiel Adamu revealing plans to stage the heavyweight champion’s first bout in Africa in early 2026.

Dr. Adamu, CEO of promotional group Balmoral, aims to bring the British-Nigerian fighter home for a historic event in the first quarter of next year.

Speaking ahead of Nigeria’s “Chaos in the Ring” event on October 1 in Lagos, Adamu told The Ring that discussions with Joshua’s camp have been overwhelmingly positive.

“I spoke with him, I spoke with his team, and they already said to me, ‘If we had an offer from Nigeria, it’s a match made in heaven,’” Adamu said. “Joshua has always said that before he ends his career, he wants to fight in Nigeria, and we are going to make that fight happen.”

Plans are underway to host the fight at Abuja Stadium, which has a 50,000-seat capacity, and feature an all-African matchup. Possible opponents include Tony Yoka, Martin Bakole, and Deontay Wilder, who also has Nigerian roots.

Addressing rumours about a potential fight in Ghana, Adamu dismissed the idea, insisting that Nigeria is the natural choice for Joshua. “Where is the story in there? Joshua is Nigerian,” he said. “Nigeria is the biggest market. It’s a no-brainer for Joshua to fight here.”

Born in Watford, Joshua spent part of his schooling in Nigeria and sports a tattoo of the country’s outline on his right shoulder as a tribute to his roots. Adamu believes Nigeria has the infrastructure and capacity to become a heavyweight boxing hub, pointing to the country’s population, facilities, and technical know-how.

“We see October 1 as just a little sneak peek. This is really just a showcase of what Nigeria is about and what we can make happen. We have big plans coming,” Adamu added, noting the potential for future high-profile fights featuring other heavyweight stars with Nigerian connections.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, had previously suggested the possibility of the fighter returning to Africa professionally, but the concept had remained largely theoretical until now.

The proposed 2026 bout represents a significant moment for African boxing and could open doors for more major events on the continent.