Joshua v Fury Clash Resurface, ‘It Must Happen By 2025’ – Hearn

The long-awaited heavyweight bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury must “definitely” take place by the end of 2025 or it will never happen, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

A super-fight between two generational stars of British boxing has been mooted for several years but always stalled during negotiations.

Joshua, 34, challenges Daniel Dubois for the IBF belt at Wembley Stadium on Saturday and Fury, 36, takes on Oleksandr Usyk – who holds the three other recognised world titles – in December’s rematch.

“I do think AJ-Fury will happen regardless of whether Fury wins or not, but the size of the fight depends on their next two results,” Hearn told BBC Sport.

In June, Joshua urged Fury to fight him while both boxers are still “fresh” but said he will not “sit around and wait” for his fellow British heavyweight.

Asked whether there is a deadline of next year, Matchroom’s Hearn replied: “Yes, definitely.”

With substantial investment into boxing from Saudi Arabia, there is new hope the bout will finally materialise.

“If AJ beats Dubois and Fury beats Usyk, you’ve got the biggest fight in the history of the sport ever. If one loses and the other wins, it’s still a monster fight,” Hearn added.

‘There will never be another AJ’

Joshua broke down in tears after a second consecutive defeat by Usyk in 2022, but worked himself back into a world-title mandatory challenger position with a four-fight winning streak.

If he beats Dubois he will emulate greats Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitschko and Evander Holyfield by becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion.

“The magnitude of the achievement will be something incredible if he can pull it off,” Hearn said.

“We’re two wins away from undisputed and one win away from getting a fight to be undisputed. I truly believe he will still do it.”

Joshua must first come overcome Dubois in front of a British post-war record of 96,000 fans, which will top the 94,000 set by Fury v Dillian Whyte in 2022.

After Saturday’s event, around 480,000 spectators will have watched Joshua headline in six UK stadium fights.

“People always ask me where the next AJ is coming from. You have to understand, this person is a one-off and there will never be another one,” added Hearn.

“Whatever you think of his boxing ability, in terms of how he has transcended the sport, changed boxing by opening up stadium fights as part of the norm, it will never be repeated.”

Joshua became world champion in 2016. He lost the title to Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019 before winning the rematch just six months later.

Dubois, 27, will make a first defence of the title he won after he was upgraded from interim to full world champion when Usyk vacated the IBF belt.

Although Dubois challenged Usyk in front of 40,000 fans in Poland last year, Hearn feels it “takes a specific kind of individual” to handle the pressure of topping a Wembley Stadium bill.

“The media attention and frenzy, all the moments before the bell on fight night – you’ve got to hold your nerve when you walk through that tunnel in front of 96,000 people,” said Hearn.

“For AJ this is bread and butter. He’s been there before and done it but he’s got the hunger and the desire.

“Forget the money in the bank, he badly wants to become world champion again.”

BBC

Ist Engr. Gumel National Weightlifting Championship: Bayelsa Leads Medal Table

After day 2 of the maiden Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel National Weightlifting Championship holding is Abuja, Bayelsa State has shot to the top of the medal table with 6 gold and 6 silver medals ahead of 17 other teams vying for honours in the championship.

Competing in the men’s 61 kg weight category, Agboro Favour who lifted 101kg in Snatch , 140 kg in Clean/Jerk to record a total of 241 kg and Ayodele Ruth who had 90 kg in Snatch, 120kg in Clean/Jerk and score a total of 210 kg accounted for Bayelsa state gold medal haul so far.

Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Edo, Ogun and Oyo State are having 3 gold medals each but Ogun is occupying the second position for clinching an additional silver medal while Oyo boasts of an additional 3 bronze medals to move to the 3rd position.

Bauchi State that really started well as far as the race for medals is concerned, are still struggling to grab a gold medal. The state currently boasts of 8 silver and 3 bronze medals.

However, the medal table is expected to change today with the Championship drawing to an end.

However, the first Vice President of the Weightlifting. Federation of Africa (WFA) and former President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Sir Chimdi Ejiogu, who flagged off the Championship, gave Kudos to the President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Abdul Ibrahim and other stakeholders for thinking it wise to stage the championship.

He described Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in whose honour the Championship is being held as a living Legend and a great ambassador to Nigeria who is worthy of honour having contributed immensely to the Development of Sports in the country.

According to Sir Ejiogu, someone like Engr. Habu Gumel can best be honored as a living Legend now that he is with us than when he passes on.

President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation who just arrived from America where he went for a befitting programme, said the championship is aimed at discovering new talents that will take over from the retiring ones.

According to him, many good ones are quitting the sports due to old age while others are moving into coaching.

And as a serious, Federation, there is an urgent need to replace them in order not to creat a vacuum. All we need now is a pool of young, vibrant and energetic lifters that will stand the taste of time.
Hence the reason for keeping his hands into his pockets to ensure that this competition is held before the year 2024 runs out.

Besides, there lots of international Championships stirring us in the face next (2025) and we need a real formidable team to face those challenges.

“You can see lifters performance in this event coupled to the first class organization we are witnessing these three days. That is how things are supposed to be done.

So for weightlifting under my leadership and care, the sky is just the beginning. All I keep craving for is for all the stakeholders ( referees and coaches) to play their roles effectively so that together , we will get to where we are going.

There are going to be more domestic championships next year, including the 2nd edition of Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel National open among others.

Meanwhile, the maiden Engr. Gumel National Championship can be described as huge success as turned out to be the gathering of all the who is who in
Nigeria Weightlifting.Scene.

These include, Alhaji Sir Chidi Ejiogu, 1st Vice President Weightlifting Federation of Africa (WFA) and Former President Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) Chibudem Nwuche, Former President NWF Mohammed Abdullahi, Deputy Secretary General Nigeria Olympic Committee, Hon . Daniel Igali, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Muhammad Salis Gamawa, Air Commodore Rahinatu Garba, Dr. Hassan Sadidiq, Dr. Joy Madaki of NIS and Barr, Amos Dushu among others.

More Sports

Over ₦9m Up for Grabs at All Stars Mega Badminton Championship

The stage is set for what promises to be a groundbreaking event in Nigerian badminton history, as the All Stars Mega Badminton Championship kicks off on December 11, 2024, in Abuja.

With over ₦9 million in cash prizes, this tournament is poised to redefine the game, offering the largest payday ever seen in Nigerian badminton.

The men’s singles champion will walk away with a star prize of ₦1 million, while the women’s singles winner will pocket ₦700,000. Winners in the men’s and women’s doubles categories will each receive ₦500,000, with numerous consolation cash prizes and gifts for other categories, including All Stars doubles, 50+ men veterans, U-49 men’s doubles, and mixed veterans.

Salaudeen Abdulfatai, C E O LMK Sport Kits Limited and Co-chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for All Stars Mega Badminton Championship, expressed his excitement ahead of the championship. “We are working closely with badminton stakeholders in Nigeria and the diaspora to elevate the sport. This championship isn’t just a competition; it’s a statement about the potential of badminton in Nigeria,” he said.

Fatai emphasized the collaborative effort behind the event, noting contributions from notable former players and enthusiasts such as Mr Peter Duku,Mr Orobosa Okuonghae,Mrs Olabisi Fajinmi (Nee Tiamiyu),Mr Abimbola Odejoke and Mr Olaoluwa Ebenezer Fagbemi. “It’s not easy to entrust funds and resources, but these individuals have placed their faith in us. We are determined not to disappoint, which is why every effort is being made to ensure this is the best-organized and most rewarding tournament in our history.”

The response from athletes has been overwhelming. “We’ve already registered over 100 players for the men’s singles alone, a record-breaking figure. The women’s singles, doubles, and veterans’ categories have also seen unprecedented participation,besides the last 16 and quarter finalists would also go home with cash prizes.This will undoubtedly be the most highly attended badminton tournament ever held in Nigeria,” Fatai added.

As excitement builds, the All Stars Mega Badminton Championship is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of dedication, collaboration, and the future of badminton in Nigeria.

More Sports

We’ve One Executives Led By Olatutu Oladunni In Lagos, Says SWAN President At 2024 Lagos SWAN Day

President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah Benjamin was in Lagos on Thursday, 21 November 2024 to grace the occasion of SWAN Day organised by the Lagos chapter of the association.

The 2024 SWAN Day celebration, put together by the Lagos chapter, was a contrast from what has been the order of things in the history of the association as Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni-led executives used the Day to gathered people of high caliber, not primarily from the sports sector, to a Dialogue on International Diplomacy and it’s Diversity on Foods, Drinks, Cultural Heritage, Fashion, Arts, Music, Dance Fiesta.

With arrays of partnership and sponsorship such as Foreign Relations Team of Pan African American Chamber of Commerce (PAACCC), UNESCO, Gambian Embassy in Nigeria, SABRE, Nigeria Bottling Company, Carokings Media Ltd, SWAN Spring Water, MOL Tech Accessories and MOL Integrated Services Ltd, UAC Foods, Interguide Academy, Supreme Ice Cream, Golfview Hotels, Indomie, Indian Embassy, JESAJU Homes, Victoria Avemamo, National Council for Arts and Culture, FM Consultancy Services, Sodan Travels and KKF Foundation, the 2024 Lagos SWAN Day was an exciting moment of different activities that further show the power of sports in bridging relationships, friendships and networking in the society.

An elated President of SWAN, Mr Isaiah Benjamin was so happy to see a chapter of the association making a strong mark and giving SWAN a new identity that will further boost the image of the association which will bring unprecedented opportunities for members across the board.

“This is a good one. Once again, we have seen the capacity in the leadership of my able chairman, Olatutu Oladunni. She is the only recognized Chairman of our association in Lagos because from all records I met when I assumed office, there are no executives in Lagos outside her own.
We at the national level will always take a cue from the initiative of what Lagos SWAN is doing

“Sports has been a unifying factor that brings people from diverse cultures together to put their diversity together to get results,” said the SWAN president while giving his special remarks towards the end of the ceremony held at the Golfview Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos.

“The honour extended to the National SWAN to be part of this noble event is a rare privilege. I want to assure that we will tap into the wealth of what you are doing here today.

“You have the support of the national leadership SWAN. What happened here today is worth emulating. I will advise all other state chapters to emulate what Lagos is doing,” he said.

Dignitaries at the occasion included the Gambian High Commissioner to Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, His Excellency, Ambassador Mohamadou Musa Njie, who is also Special Guest of Honour; His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Chairman American Aviation Technology Company (SABRE) West /Central Africa, Dr Gabriel Olowo, late Afro-beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s first daughter, Yeni Kuti, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Adegoke Fayoade who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Nwogu Martins, Provost of Nigerian Immigration Service, representative of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) presidential candidate, Alhaji Garba Mohammed dignitaries from the Indian Community in Lagos and a host of others.

The event, which was spiced with cultural display by the pupils of Interguide Academy, Ikeja, Lagos and Yoruba traditional ewi and dance drum all the way from Ile Ife in Osun State, also witnessed conferment of Global Diplomatic Cultural Awards different categories of personalities.