Joshua, a two-time world champion of Nigerian descent, paid a courtesy visit to the Jubilee House on Monday after attending the “Battle of the Beasts” boxing event at the Bukom Boxing Arena last Saturday. The event was co-produced by former British welterweight champion Amir Khan and Legacy Rise.

President Mahama expressed hope that Joshua’s involvement could inspire young boxing talents across the continent.

“I told him [Anthony Joshua] he will be our ambassador. It needs people like him to help change the lives of young people, and so we wish him to be an ambassador for boxing in Africa and take that as one of the causes that he champions. After him, there will be a wave of boxers who will also make Africa proud and change the societies from which they come,” Mahama said.

“You are an icon very much loved in Ghana,” he added.

The meeting was attended by Sports Minister Kofi Adams, Ghanaian boxing legend Azumah Nelson, and Sharaf Mahama, CEO of Legacy Rise Sports.

Anthony Joshua is expected to return to the ring later this year, with potential matchups against American heavyweight Jared Anderson or the rising British-Nigerian prospect Moses Itauma.

Speculation on social media had suggested Joshua could fight Martin Bakole or Deontay Wilder next.

With Joshua, 35, coming off a knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois in an all-British clash, Matchroom promoter Hearn says no concrete plans are in place.

“If you look at Twitter [X], he’s signed and agreed to fight Martin Bakole. Today it’s all signed for Wilder against Joshua on June 7th. [But with] both of those fights there hasn’t been one discussion yet,” Hearn said on the 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast.

Congolese heavyweight Bakole has talked up a fight with Joshua in recent weeks, even suggesting he hurt the two-time heavyweight world champion in a sparring session.

But Hearn, who has promoted Joshua for the entirety of his professional career, laughed off the story, saying he has never witnessed Bakole “rock” Joshua in sparring.

“I think Martin Bakole is a very good fighter, but don’t get carried away that this is the new George Foreman,” Hearn said.

“The problem with Bakole is, he is a handful, but he doesn’t really bring the dollars for the fight.”

Joshua’s return to the summit of the heavyweight scene was halted by Dubois at Wembley last September as he suffered the fourth defeat of his career and second via stoppage.

He was expected to fight Dubois again, but opted out of talks for a rematch and Dubois will face Joseph Parker on 22 February instead.

Before Tyson Fury’s shock retirement announcement last month, anticipation had been building the Gypsy King might face Joshua.

But while that fight seems unlikely again, Hearn says Fury remains at the top of Joshua’s wishlist.

“It’s always been the two – Tyson Fury – who is retired at the moment, we’ll see how long that lasts, and the winner of Dubois-Parker,” Hearn said of Joshua’s ideal next opponent.

Joshua has history with both Dubois and Parker having stripped Parker of his WBO title in their 2018 unification fight.

Hearn is not confident Dubois will retain his IBF title, with Parker on a five-fight winning streak, including wins over Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.

“The first four, five rounds of that fight will be so important,” Hearn said of Dubois-Parker.

“If Parker can get through those rounds, you’ve got to put question marks back in Dubois’ head because right now I think he thinks he’s invincible.

“He’s buying into the hype. Which might be good for him. Dubois is a handful.

“I think he’s beatable and I think Parker is the guy to do it. Right now, a confident Daniel Dubois is a dangerous man.”

Dubois, 27, stopped former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua in just five rounds in front of 96,000 people at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

It leaves Joshua’s resurgent career in ruins while confirming Dubois as the new leading man in British heavyweight boxing.

An epic fight that was as shocking as it was exciting threw up countless picture-worthy moments – here are some of the best.

Dubois shots rattled AJ to his core

Image source: Matchroom

Joshua suffers the first knockdown

Image source: Getty Images

The punishment keeps coming for Joshua

Image source: Getty Images

Joshua fights back but a massive counter lands

Image source: Reuters

Joshua suffers a big knockdown

Image source: Getty Images

Referee ushers Dubois away before stopping fight

Image source: Getty Images

Dubois celebrates his crowning moment

Image source: Reuters

Dubois celebrates among the crowd

Image source: Reuters

Joshua devastated, Dubois with IBF belt

Image source: Getty Images

Dubois celebrates with team

Joshua was on the back foot from the outset and never recovered as Dubois sealed victory in five rounds.

Despite seeing his four-fight win streak halted unceremoniously, Joshua rejected the suggestion that he could hang up his gloves.

“Of course I still want to continue fighting,” Joshua said at the post-fight news conference.

“We took a shot at success and came up short. Are we going to run away now or live to fight another day? I’m a warrior.”

Joshua was attempting to join legends Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko in becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion.

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, told the 34-year-old not to attend the news conference, but his fighter was adamant that he wanted to deliver a statement to the media.

Joshua, sporting bruises under both eyes and on his neck, did not take questions but gave a statement.

“Always walk with your head up high,” he added.

“We rolled the dice. That’s 13 world title fights, not all of them have been successful but they’ve all been fun and entertaining.

“We want to create history for British boxing and I think we are doing that.”

Almost 500,000 fans have watched Joshua headline in six British stadium fights. His contribution to the growth of British boxing is incontestable.

It was Joshua’s first world title fight since losing his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk for the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO belts in August 2022.

Usyk ‘expected Joshua to win’

WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion Usyk was ringside at Wembley, taking a brief break from his training camp as he prepares for a rematch with Tyson Fury on 21 December.

The Ukrainian, who enjoyed back-to-back successes against Joshua in 2021 and 2022, has become the face of the heavyweight division during a period when the Briton’s grip has slipped away.

“For me it’s a surprise,” Usyk told Sky Sports.

“I expected Anthony to win the fight.”

Usyk is yet to taste defeat in 22 fights as a professional and was undisputed champion at cruiserweight before stepping up to heavyweight and also achieving that feat.

Who could Joshua fight next?

It is a difficult question to answer, fresh from a major defeat, but Joshua seems determined to continue fighting and he will not be lacking options.

Hearn says there is an option to trigger a rematch with Dubois, making him the current frontrunner for Joshua.

But there is also the possibility of fights with Deontay Wilder and Fury.

Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott said recently his heavyweight intended to continue his career despite back-to-back defeats.

A comeback against Wilder may be an attractive option for Joshua, considering he too will be looking for a big win.

Organisers said in the build-up to the Dubois fight that the Fury bout would be available to Joshua even if he loses.

Hearn suggested 2025 was the last year Fury-Joshua could happen, but it remains to be seen if either man has the appetite for it.

The 27-year-old dropped Joshua multiple times to retain the IBF heavyweight title and left his domestic rival’s career in ruins.

Londoner Dubois stopped Joshua, 34, with a incredible counter right hook to secure the biggest win of his 24-fight career.

“Are you not entertained?” Dubois said post-fight to huge cheers at Wembley.

“I’m a gladiator. I am a warrior to the bitter end. I want to get to the top level of this sport and reach my potential.”

Joshua’s bid to become a three-time champion and return to the division’s top table ended in the most dramatic and unexpected fashion.

AJ – who won his first world title more than eight years ago – suffered a fourth loss in his 32nd bout.

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist worked himself back into mandatory challenger status, but the dominant nature of Dubois’ win left a huge question mark on Joshua’s next move.

An ecstatic Dubois, meanwhile, enjoyed the crowning moment which had eluded him after he was elevated to world champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.

Destructive Dubois starts and ends with a bang

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Daniel Dubois win his first world title fight as a pro

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher had already hyped up a lively crowd with a musical interlude before the main event – and Dubois proved a Rock ‘N’ Roll Star.

Despite being champion and going against tradition, he walked first to the ring to jeers as fireworks shot up above the iconic Wembley arches.

A sea of camera phones further illuminated the national stadium when fan-favourite Joshua – his eyes firmly focused on the ring – entered to a medley which started with the Godfather theme and ended with ‘War’ from Rocky IV.

Only four of their 49 combined wins had gone the distance and the expected early knockdown came in the first round from underdog Dubois when he connected with a superb overhand right in the closing seconds.

Joshua slumped to the canvas and had still not recovered in the second. Dubois did not take a backward step, stalking his opponent around the ring and finding success with his rod-like jab.

Perhaps Joshua was still haunted by those sparring stories from several years ago when Dubois reportedly rocked him.

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist was reeling in the third as a pumped-up Dubois whipped in a left hook and Joshua appeared to touch the floor with his glove. It was not counted as a knockdown, but Dubois continued the assault until Joshua was floored again.

He was dropped twice in the third – the second ruled a slip but the writing was clearly on the wall. Unified champion Usyk and Tyson Fury, who contest a rematch in December, watched on from ringside, scarcely believing how the fight had unfolded.

The chants of “AJ, AJ” had quietened.

After a closer fourth round, Joshua, for the first time in the fight, landed a clean punch in the fifth, only for it to spur Dubois into action.

A counter right-hand, a punch that will live forever in the memory of Dubois and all those in attendance, sent Joshua down for the final time.

The former poster boy of British boxing was left scrambling across the floor, desperately trying to get up, but unable to beat the count.

The Joshua vs Dubois will take place this Saturday, September 21, at Wembley Stadium.

At Monday’s face off Joshua, scowling in the sunshine, marched straight up to Dubois and, unblinking, glared down at his young rival.

Both have well-deserved reputations as fearsome punchers. But Dubois is looking for something more in this fight. He doesn’t just want to win by knockout. He wants to inflict something on his opponent which, for a boxer, is worse than that. He wants to make Joshua quit.

“I’ve got to make him quit, break him down, That’s my mindset going into this. Making him quit, breaking him,” Dubois told Sky Sports. I believe I can.”

Quitting was an allegation thrown at Dubois after his defeat to Joe Joyce. It’s a criticism of his character that he has been fighting to dispel ever since.

For him the sweetest victory of all would be to enforce an ending of that nature in the highest-profile event of his boxing life. For Dubois that would be a kind of cruel redemption.

“I’m turning it round now at this stage of my career. I’ve come through my ups and downs, just turning it round,” Dubois said.

“Enjoy the moment, let all the talking be done, let all the statements be made. I’m in a good place right now and I’m ready to fight.”

Joshua and Dubois had to be separated earlier in the promotion when an altercation threatened to take place at a joint interview.

The animosity still seemed to simmer between them at the staredown. “I looked into his eyes, and I don’t know, I’m so used to it now. It’s part of the game,” Dubois said.

He’s adamant that Joshua’s team are underestimating him. “Of course they are, he’s going to be in for the shock of his life,” Dubois said.

“Seize the moment. It will all become real. Enough of the thinking, enough of the talking.”

But he is happy enough to be perceived as the underdog. “I still have that mindset, I’m still like that. Everyone wants to see the underdog come through and come out on top,” he said.

“I’m the underdog and I love playing that role, make it another night to remember.”

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.

Headlining stadiums are ‘bread and butter’ for Joshua

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: 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.”

Joshua, 34, floored the UFC champion in the first round and early in the second.

A dazed Ngannou rose to his feet in Riyadh but was stunned by an explosive and formidable right moments later as the referee halted the contest.

The 37-year-old appeared to be out before he even hit the canvas and required medical treatment.

“I’m going back to my cage and when they let me out, I’ll fight again,” Joshua said, as WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury watched on from ringside.

Fury made tough work of Ngannou in October when he was dropped by the debutant before edging a points win.

“When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought ‘I want some of that’. [Ngannou] is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities,” said Joshua.

“I told him not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he’s fought the best.”

Victory is two-time world champion Joshua’s fourth in 11 months, and keeps alive his ambition of recapturing a world title.

Eddie Hearn called for Joshua, who he has promoted throughout the heavyweight’s pro career, to face the winner of Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

The pair will fight to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion in May, with a rematch later in the year.

“In five years I won’t be fighting,” Joshua added. “Eddie Hearn and my team will shape my future.”

A knockout for the highlight reels

With the card running more than an hour later than planned, it was 03:20 local time when master of ceremonies Michael Buffer introduced Ngannou to the ring.

Dressed in a pink and white robe with gold tassels, Ngannou made the solitary walk down the aisle to the tune of ‘God’s Plan’ by Drake.

A frowning Joshua looked full of purpose as he strutted to the ring with confidence. He kneeled down and recited a prayer in his corner.

Joshua drew the loudest reaction, a mixture of boos and jeers. He seemed completely undeterred, his eyes set firmly on Ngannou.

And it was a near-perfect start for the Watford-born fighter. Ngannou had just narrowly missed with a lead left hand as Joshua remained calm and composed.

AJ extended his backhand to land a flush right down the pipe. By flooring Ngannou, he had done within three minutes what Fury failed to do in 10 rounds four months ago.

A stunned Ngannou got up on the count of eight and saw out the round.

Joshua has become a smarter fighter in recent years, honing his technical ability. He doubled his jab, bided his time and waited for an opening.

Another right hand had Ngannou clamouring on the floor. He beat the count in the nick of time but the writing was on the wall.

The finishing punch was one which will undoubtedly take centre stage in future Joshua knockout highlights reel.

A statement win in Saudi

A well-schooled amateur boasting Olympic gold and a two-time world champion with wins against some of the best in the division, Joshua’s experience prevails in the early hours in Riyadh.

The razzmatazz of Saudi boxing was on show, albeit still under the backdrop of critics claiming the Kingdom is using high-profile sporting events to ‘sports wash’ away its human rights records.

While it was not the star-studded affair seen in past event in the region, former champions Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao rubbed shoulders with the likes of football manager Jose Mourinho and Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo.

The card was billed as ‘knockout chaos’ but the Saudi crowd – as they usually do – behaved in a very quiet and orderly manner.

The pressure was on Joshua to deliver a message to rival Fury. A fighter who has faced an intense level of scrutiny in recent years, Joshua acknowledged the impact of trainer Ben Davison.

Davison was in Joshua’s corner for the second time, having also overseen December’s dominant win over Otto Wallin.

“I didn’t want to disrespect Ngannou but he’s not been hit by someone like AJ before,” Davison told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I’ll let people judge whether he is improving. The only way to find out who is the best is to get the winner of Fury and Usyk. That’s the only thing that makes sense.”

Whether Ngannou listens to Joshua’s advice and returns to the sport anytime soon awaits to be soon, but the ‘Predator’ is a proven winner – whether it be in life, the UFC octagon or a boxing ring.

His journey has taken him from a 12-year-old working in sand quarry in Cameroon to living on the streets of Paris, before becoming UFC champion.

Although his childhood dream of becoming a boxing world champion may never become reality, Ngannou is set to return to MMA later this year with the PFL in search of his next prey.

Briton Joshua takes on ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

WBC belt holder Fury will face Ukraine’s unified champion Usyk in May, also in the Saudi capital Riyadh. The winner will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.

“The dream for Joshua has always been to be undisputed,” Hearn told BBC Sport.

“If AJ beats Ngannou and Fury beats Usyk, the whole world will be calling for Fury v Joshua.

“It’s probably one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport. Certainly the biggest fight in boxing now.”

Fury-Joshua in 2024 unlikely

In January, Saudi Turki Alalshikh – one of boxing’s leading power brokers – revealed plans for the winner of Joshua-Ngannou to land a shot at the undisputed title next.

The chairman of Saudi Arabia’s general entertainment authority, with the riches of the Kingdom behind him, has quickly become one of the most influential figures in boxing.

“He wants to make the biggest fights out there,” Hearn said. “He’s a huge fan, like us and everybody else. If he has the ability to make the fight I’m sure he will do everything he can to make it happen.”

But despite Alalshikh’s grand plans and Matchroom promoter Hearn’s optimism, the prospect of Joshua challenging Fury for all four world titles in his next fight seems unlikely.

Internally at broadcasters DAZN, they don’t expect Fury-Joshua to happen before 2025.

Queensberry’s Frank Warren, who represents Fury and is also co-promoting Joshua-Ngannou, is not convinced Usyk would step aside – unless an injury or other external factors prevent him from contesting the rematch.

“Of course, AJ-Fury is the fight we all want to see because at the end of the day it’s two Brits and there’s been that rivalry between them and the two promotional companies for god knows how many years,” Warren said.

“I think Tyson wins the fight against Usyk but then do you see Usyk and his management team stepping aside?

“I don’t. Especially for the monies that’s involved. But anything can happen in boxing.”

Vacant title shot more likely for AJ, Ngannou plans MMA return

A rematch between Usyk and Fury is not expected to be for all four titles. The IBF has written to both teams saying the winner must face the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger and no exception will be granted for a second fight.

Joshua had made clear his ambition of becoming a three-time world champion and the more likely scenario for the 34-year-old, should he beat Ngannou, would be challenging for the vacant title against Croatia’s number-one ranked IBF fighter Filip Hrgovic.

A win over boxing novice Ngannou is not a foregone conclusion either.

The French Cameroonian, in his first pro fight, suffered a close split-decision loss to Fury in October, having dropped the Gypsy King in the third round.

“AJ is very proud of his resume and legacy but if he loses lose to a guy who has been defeated in his only professional bout, that is not a good look,” Hearn added.

“A defeat would put him way back in the pecking order after we’ve done all the work to be on the verge of the top again.”

A shock win over Joshua would strengthen Ngannou’s legitimacy as a heavyweight contender.

Fury has also spoken about a potential rematch with Ngannou in the future, but the 37-year-old is scheduled to return to MMA with the PFL this summer, with the promotion intending to announce an opponent later this month.

Joshua, 34, had previously described a potential bout with Cameroon-born Ngannou as a “gimmick fight”.

The 37-year-old former UFC champion only made his professional boxing debut in October, when he knocked down Tyson Fury before losing a close decision.

Joseph Parker leads the undercard against China’s Zhilei Zhang.

Also on the undercard is Briton Nick Ball, who faces Rey Vargas for the WBC featherweight title in his first world title bout.

Former UFC heavyweight king Ngannou stunned the boxing world last year when he sent the undefeated Fury to the canvas with a left hook.

The 35-year-old Briton, who recovered to win the 10-round bout by split decision, will fight Oleksandr Usyk on 17 February for the right to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

Fury is the WBC champion, with Ukraine’s Usyk, 36, holding the WBA, WBO and IBF belts.

Saudi organisers were intent on hosting Joshua v Deontay Wilder on 9 March, but the American’s points defeat by Parker on 23 December scuppered those plans.

Joshua stopped Otto Wallin on the same card and organisers were determined to find a bout for the Watford fighter on the same weekend the Wilder showdown had been pencilled in for.

Joshua v Ngannou will take place on a Friday to avoid a clash with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix which is due to be held in Jeddah on Saturday, 9 March.

Why is Joshua fighting Ngannou?

Just a few weeks ago Joshua was downplaying the prospect of fighting boxing newcomer Ngannou, but Wilder’s defeat by Parker forced him to rethink his plans.

As well as that, Joshua is keen to put himself in the mix to face the winner of Fury v Usyk or potentially fight for the IBF title should it become vacant following the undisputed bout.

Despite majorly troubling Fury, Ngannou will be a big underdog against Joshua, who has twice held world heavyweight titles.

The fight represents less risk for Joshua than might be anticipated against a seasoned heavyweight like Parker – who many might have considered an obvious choice after his victory over Wilder.

Fighting Ngannou can keep Joshua ticking over while at the same time keeping the Saudi organisers happy as they get to close ‘Riyadh Season’ with another heavyweight event.

Saudi Arabia has ploughed millions of dollars into staging huge sporting events, with critics saying the unprecedented spending is being used to enhance the oil-producing kingdom’s international reputation and deflect from its human rights record and environmental impact.

However, in a recent interview with the BBC, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal said claims of ‘sportswashing’ were “very shallow”, insisting the investment is boosting the country’s economy, opening it up to tourism and inspiring people to be more active.

Joshua had announced plans to face ex-WBC champion Deontay Wilder if they had both won while fighting on the same card in Riyadh on Dec. 23.

However, Wilder was handed a stunning upset defeat by New Zealand’s Joseph Parker last month, before Joshua clinched a knockout win over Otto Wallin later that night.

“Tonight we confirm it’s a Done Deal,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn on Friday said in a post on social medial platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – press conference Jan 15 in London with full details dropping soon!”

ESPN reported the fight would be held in early March, weeks after WBC world champion Tyson Fury faces WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.

Ngannou, who vacated his heavyweight belt after a contract dispute with UFC and exited as a free agent in January last year, made his pro boxing debut against Fury in October.

The Cameroonian-French fighter lost on a split decision in the non-title fight, but almost delivered an upset when he dropped Fury to the canvas with a left hook.

Following his loss to Fury, Ngannou was ranked number 10 in the heavyweight division by the World Boxing Council (WBC).

Promoter Hearn says talks have taken place over the heavyweight contender fighting in Africa, and that government backing for an event is available.

Joshua, 34, has Nigerian ancestry but has never fought on the continent.

“It’s something that would be iconic for the sport,” Hearn told BBC World Service’s Newsday of the proposals.

“When we’re visiting these countries, there’s government funding to stage these events.

“Sometimes that isn’t forthcoming in all areas but there have been discussions and I think it will happen in time.”

Muhammad Ali and George Foreman contested the heavyweight world championship in Zaire – now the Democratic Republic of Congo – in October 1974 in one of the greatest fights of all time.

Both men were champions during the long careers that made them legends, with Ali knocking out Foreman in the eighth round to win the WBA, WBC and Ring titles.

Joshua held the WBA belt for a combined total of almost four years and has been IBF, WBO and IBO champion, although he is currently aiming to win back the titles he failed to regain from Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia in August 2022.

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist, who grew up in London after his parents emigrated from Nigeria before he was born, remains one of the biggest ticket-sellers in the sport and has called himself “proudly Nigerian and proudly British”, sporting a tattoo of Africa with Nigeria outlined on his right shoulder.

“With that anniversary approaching, we’ve often talked about a big Anthony Joshua fight – even revisiting the famous scenes in Zaire of the Rumble in the Jungle,” said Hearn.

“We’ve had a couple of approaches. Obviously, Anthony Joshua – with his Nigerian descent – is always keen to visit and stage a major event there.

“Visually, it would be incredible and something Anthony would love to tick off the box before the end of his career.”

Despite its lasting resonance, the Rumble in the Jungle remains the last time a fight of such scale took place in Africa.

Ngannou fight on horizon?

Earlier in November, Hearn told BBC Sport he was exploring a potential fight between Joshua and former UFC champion Francis Ngannou as part of a plan for the next “six to 12 months” of Joshua’s career.

Like Joshua, Ngannou is a huge name in Africa – particularly in Cameroon, where he was born and took his first steps in combat sport before moving to Europe to fulfil his MMA dream.

Ngannou almost stunned WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on his professional boxing debut in October, losing on a controversial split decision in Saudi Arabia in a performance that has seen him ranked in the top 10 by the WBC and strengthened his chances of fights against established names such as Joshua.

Speaking after that bout, Hearn suggested he was still exploring whether a fight in Africa was financially viable and said he had exchanged messages with Ngannou’s camp.

“All of a sudden, that fight between two giants becomes a massive fight,” said Hearn, describing Joshua and Ngannou as “carved out of stone”. “We’re definitely willing to consider it.”

After leaving the UFC at the start of 2023, Ngannou joined the Professional Fighters League, an MMA promotion with ambitions to expand to Africa.

Ngannou is a minority equity owner and chairman of the newly created PFL Africa, which PFL chief executive Peter Murray told BBC Sport will launch in 2025.

The fighter known as ‘The Predator’ does not have a scheduled bout but has set his immediate sights on continuing in boxing and is also a fighter for the PFL.

Joshua’s next contest will be a non-title bout against Otto Wallin on 23 December in Saudi Arabia as a headliner alongside Deontay Wilder, the former WBC champion and a figure he has long been linked to a much-anticipated fight with.

Wilder said last year that he “would love” to face Joshua in Africa.

Next month’s event, which has been titled ‘Day of Reckoning’ and is part of the annual Riyadh Season, will mark the third time Joshua has fought in Saudi Arabia since 2019.

Joshua, who has amassed wealth and his latest is a £15 million win against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017, revealed he has returned to his mother’s two-bedroom former government housing.

In a recent interview with documentarian Louis Theroux, Joshua mentioned that, he has a strong bond with his family, making it very easy to move out and live independently.

“In our culture, we grew up in our own family home, we support our parents. ‘Why am I going to move out and leave my mum by herself, for some girl? Family is the most important thing. ‘When a girl gets with me, she ain’t just marrying me, she’s marrying my family, he explained.

In his opinion, it is easier to support his mother and be attentive to her needs if they live together, adding that he will continue to live with her for as long as he can.

He expressed his family system is more important than the desire for any girl or his personal desire to live alone.

Ngannou almost stunned WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on his professional boxing debut, losing on a controversial split decision in Saudi Arabia.

Hearn revealed he has exchanged messages with the Cameroon-born fighter’s camp following that bout.

“As we start to plan AJ’s next six to 12 months we just want to know if that is an option,” Hearn told the BBC.

“We could have that event in Saudi Arabia or other countries in the Middle East. Africa sounds incredible – can they come up with the money to do it? I don’t know.

“All of a sudden that fight between two giants, they’re carved out of stone, it becomes a massive fight. We’re definitely willing to consider it.”

Despite being the underdog, former UFC fighter Ngannou, 37, knocked down Fury in the third round and convinced one of the judges he was the winner.

“The MMA world believe Ngannou beats everyone,” Hearn told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“When I met Ngannou he was trying to pitch me AJ against Ngannou in Africa. I spoke to AJ about it at the time and he said ‘I want to try to win the world heavyweight championship now’.

“I said ‘this guy was close to beating Tyson Fury so he surely has to be a credible fight’. The MMA world are telling me Ngannou beats AJ easily. I’m like ‘please make the fight because that’s not the case’.”

Hearn says Fury v Ngannou has made him even more certain two-time heavyweight champion Joshua, 34, would beat his fellow Briton if they ever fought.

“I’ve always been convinced AJ beats Tyson Fury but after watching that fight now I’m so sure,” said Hearn.

“I don’t believe his punch resistance is quite the same, I don’t believe he is necessarily the same fighter. Maybe the fights with Deontay Wilder took something out of him.”

An undisputed fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk was scheduled for 23 December, but BBC Sport understands that is now doubtful, with the Briton’s team keen for the bout to take place in February after his hard-fought win over Ngannou.

However, Joshua is still hoping to fight just before Christmas.

“It’s seven weeks on Saturday. AJ wants to fight on 23 December,” said Hearn. “We appreciate it won’t be a mega-fight. He wanted to box three times this year.”

Benn could fight Eubank in January

Hearn said last month there was “a huge desire from both camps” to make a Conor Benn-Chris Eubank Jr fight happen.

The pair were set to meet 12 months ago – 30 years after their fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr fought – but the bout was cancelled after Benn failed two voluntary doping tests.

Benn does not currently have a licence to fight in the UK.

In his latest interview, Hearn said: “Eubank [v Benn] looks like 27 January so there’s a chance AJ could go early January.”

Wilder, 36, last fought a year ago and faces Robert Helenius in New York on his comeback.

The heavyweight’s goal is to become world champion again, but Wilder also has big plans for a bout against Britain’s Joshua.

“I would love to do that fight in Africa,” he told BBC Sport.

“It’s still the number one fight in the world for everyone. Everywhere I go, people always talk about me versus Joshua.”

There have been several classic heavyweight encounters in Africa, including Muhammad Ali’s fight with George Foreman in Kinshasa in 1974.

“We both have roots from there,” Wilder explained.

“I think it would be an amazing place to have it, to go back home. To go back to the motherland. A continent full of our people. I can just see that being an amazing fight, win, lose or draw.

“I think we’ll get the respect and love from all the people over there.”

• Joshua too ‘cautious’ – Wilder

Wilder seriously considered retirement after suffering successive stoppage defeats to Tyson Fury, but now says he plans to fight for another three years.

Joshua and Wilder were previously in talks about an undisputed fight in 2019 and 2020 when both men were still world champions.

Wilder held the WBC title while Joshua was the WBA (Super), WBO and IBF champion.

Joshua recently failed to reach terms with WBC champion Fury, but Wilder is confident a deal could be struck.

He said: “We’re serious and we just need them to be serious as well. We tried to make the fight and it didn’t happen. It’s a new day and time. All things are possible.”

Joshua, the two-time world champion, will also soon be on the comeback trail after suffering successive defeats to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Wilder believes the fights with Usyk, particularly the rematch in August, showed Joshua has a “stamina” problem.

“I just felt he was very cautious,” Wilder said of the Watford-born fighter.

“For me it looks like he has a real serious stamina problem. I feel like he didn’t want to exchange a lot because of that.

“It allowed him to fall back a little bit and not allow him to throw certain punches and combinations. I think if he fixed that you would see a better Joshua, not just in that fight but fights to come.

“I know if he’s able to get everything together, stamina and all that, I think you’ll see a different Anthony Joshua.”

But Fury has set his rival another deadline and called for him to sign the contract for their showdown today.

“My promoter Frank Warren convinced me to let Queensberry carry on negotiating with your team this week, despite me knowing that you were never going to do this fight,” Fury said.

“So the deadline was Monday,” he added. “I allowed Frank to continue doing meetings with your team and your broadcasters and all that. Now we have BT, DAZN and ESPN all on the same page. They are happy with everything, they are all ready to rock and roll.

“You guys ask for a lot of stuff, you want to be co-promoters when you’re a voluntary challenger. Guess what, I said give it them, let them be co-promoters.

“You wanted full transparency, even though you’re not an equal shareholder in this party. You know what I said? Give them full transparency, I’ve got nothing to hide, I’m not trying to rob anybody, I’ve not robbed anybody of a penny in my life.

“So now you’ve got full transparency, everything is clean and fair. Now Joshua, the ball is really in your court son.”

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Joshua has previously insisted that he would sign the contract, but it had to go through his lawyers and management team.

In a direct challenge to him, Fury declared, “Everybody is done. If you’re a man, and if you’ve got any sort of dignity and pride about you, you’ll get this contract signed today. This is it. There is no more days, weeks, months, you’ve had the contract now for over two weeks and you still haven’t signed it.

“Show the public that you’re really the big coward that I know you are, and don’t sign it. I don’t care either way if you sign it or you don’t, it makes no difference to me at all. You’re a beaten man and I’m a world champion. I’m chucking you a massive bone, but I know I can punch a face in so I’m willing to give you an opportunity.

“There’s nothing more to do, everyone is happy. Get your team onto mine, they will be available all day, like they’ve been available the last two weeks. Get this contract signed!

“Let the British fans have what they want. There is no running, you have to fight me. You cannot escape. The Fury is coming.”

Joshua said on Sunday he will sign the contract to fight Fury after the WBC champion issued an ultimatum if they are to put together their all-British heavyweight battle this year.

Fury, who initially called for Joshua to sign the contract by Monday, returned to Instagram to state that Joshua had until 5pm otherwise he will walk away from the deal.

Tyson Fury has declared he will not be fighting Anthony Joshua because “no contract has been signed” after his self-imposed 5pm deadline on Monday.

Joshua said on Sunday he will sign the contract to fight Fury after the WBC champion issued an ultimatum if they are to put together their all-British heavyweight battle this year.

Fury, who initially called for Joshua to sign the contract by Monday, returned to Instagram to state that Joshua had until 5pm otherwise he will walk away from the deal.

He goes on to say: “I always knew you didn’t have the minerals to fight the Gypsy King. Good luck with your career, and your life.”

Joshua had assured Fury on Sunday that he would sign the contract, saying: “It’s not in my hands, it’s with the legal team. That’s why you hire lawyers. You know the history of boxing, make sure you get your legal terms right.

“Of course, I’m going to sign a contract. It’s just with some lawyers at the minute.”

Fury may still fight before the end of the year, but the undisputed showdown with WBO, WBA and IBF titlist Oleksandr Usyk will have to wait until next year.

Mahmoud Charr last week called on Fury to forget about fighting Joshua in December, and to fight him instead.

Former WBA ‘regular’ champion Charr insists Fury should not be fighting Joshua, following AJ’s back-to-back defeats at the hands of Usyk.

“First of all, if Fury fights AJ next, it’s not good for boxing. AJ is mentally broken and he needs recovery from his two losses,” Charr told Sky Sports.

“If Eddie Hearn accepts this fight vs Fury, Eddie [will] have to change his business. I think Fury will give AJ a bad knockout, [given] his mental position now.

“Everyone knows Fury promised more than one time to fight me. If he is the real Spartan, he must fight the real Superman. It’s me.

“I’m coming from a five-win [streak] and God gave me another chance to live. Everyone knows I come from getting shot in my stomach and two hip operations. Never forget, seven months later I became the first Arabic heavyweight champion of the world.

“This story is the same like Fury, to not give up and fight for legacy. I want Fury next. Don’t be scared, Spartan, take my challenge!”

Joshua, 32, was sent an offer by Team Fury, suggesting a 60-40 purse split to the champion and a December fight date.

The fight was agreed on Friday but the announcement was delayed because of the death of the Queen last Thursday.

Initial terms have been agreed but Joshua is yet to sign a contract.

In a statement posted on Twitter and shared by Joshua, 258MGT said: “258 and Matchroom Boxing can confirm, on behalf of Anthony Joshua, that we accepted all terms presented to us by Fury’s team for a fight.”

Fury, 34, had said he was retiring after beating Dillian Whyte in April, and reiterated that claim last month, before challenging former world champion Joshua in a video posted on social media.

Joshua was beaten by Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch in Saudi Arabia last month, his third defeat in his past five bouts.

There is a rematch clause with a 50-50 split if Joshua beats Fury, but the venue for the December fight, should it go ahead, is yet to be confirmed.

Cardiff’s Principality Stadium has been mooted, while Saudi Arabia or another country in the Middle East could also host it.

There are still hurdles to overcome before the fight is finalised, with both fighters signed to rival promoters and broadcasters, although two-time champion Joshua this week entered the WBC rankings in sixth position in another significant development.

A boxer must be ranked in the top 15 by all governing bodies to challenge for a world title.

Fury, 34, is looking for an opponent after rival Oleksandr Usyk, the WBO, WBA and IBF champion, suggested he will not return to the ring until 2023.

Joshua, who was beaten by the Ukrainian in Saudi Arabia last month, responded to Fury’s challenge by saying he would be “ready in December”.

Fury said in April he was retiring.

But in a video posted on social media on Monday, he said: “You’ve all heard that I’m going to be fighting within the next few months, and before I announce an opponent I need to do this just in case.

“Anthony Joshua, I know you’ve just lost a fight to Usyk, and I know you’re belt-less at the moment, and I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight me for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world and the lineal championship in the next few months.

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“You’re coming off a 12-round fight so you’re match fit, you’re ready, I’m giving you a few months’ notice.

“If you’re interested I’ll send you the date over and we can rumble – a battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.”

Fury had said he was retiring after beating Dillian Whyte in April, and also reiterated that claim just last month.

On Saturday, Fury said he would announce his next opponent next week – but confirmed it will not be Usyk.

Uysk said on Friday of a fight with Fury: “It won’t happen this year, that’s for sure. I’m totally healthy and don’t have any injuries, but I have old traumas which have resurfaced, and which need to be treated. I will need up to two months to recuperate.”

The Brit was emotionally charged as he gave a bizarre post-fight monologue from the ring following the devastating defeat that saw him miss out on the chance to regain his heavyweight championship belts.

Joshua then teared up during his post-fight press conference after being asked whether he was proud of how he had performed against the Ukrainian.

The former champ revealed he had to take himself to a ‘dark place’ for the rematch with Usyk and explained his emotions got the better of him in a short statement posted online.

Writing on his Twitter less than 24 hours later, Joshua said: “I wish Usyk continued success in your quest for greatness.

“You are a class act champ. Yesterday I had to mentally take myself into a dark place to compete for the championship belts!

“I had two fights, one with Usyk and one with my emotions and both got the better of me.”

The Watford-born orthodox boxer then provided a further update in a later Tweet, as he admitted to letting himself down:

“I’ll be the first to admit, I let myself down. I acted out of pure passion and emotion and when not controlled it ain’t great.

“I love this sport so so much and I’ll be better from this point on. Respect.”

In a clash billed as the Rage on the Red Sea, a spirited Joshua, 32, showed some aggressiveness and intent – a vast improvement from their first fight – but could not match the brilliance and ring savviness of the Ukrainian who improved his record to 20 wins from 20 contests. 

Two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 to Usyk and the third gave it 115-113 to Joshua. 

While there were some close rounds, Usyk – in just his fourth bout since moving up from cruiserweight to heavyweight – was the deserved winner.

At the end of the fight, a furious Joshua – quite bizarrely – picked up two of Usyk’s belts, dropped them out of the ring and strode towards the dressing room, before turning round and getting back into the ring to give an impassioned speech. 

“Usyk is one hell of a fighter. That’s just emotion,” he said. “If you knew my story, you’d understand the passion. I’m not an amateur boxer. I was going to jail and I got bail and I started training.

“It shows the passion we put into this. For this guy to beat me tonight, it shows the levels of hard work he must have put in, so please give him a round of applause as heavyweight champion of world.

“They said that I’m not a 12-round fighter. I ain’t 14 stone, I’m 18 stone, I’m heavy. It’s hard work. This guy here is phenomenal.”

Joshua also went up to Usyk and said to him: “I was studying Ukraine and all the champions from your amazing country. I’ve never been there. What’s happening there, I don’t know but it’s not nice.

“You’re not strong, how did you beat me? Because of skills. I had character and determination.”

He has now suffered back-to-back defeats against Usyk, with the champion retaining the WBA (Super), WBO and IBF titles he won in London last September.

In a clash billed as the Rage on the Red Sea, a spirited Joshua, 32, showed some aggressiveness and intent – a vast improvement from their first fight – but could not match the brilliance and ring savviness of the Ukrainian.

Two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 to Usyk, while a third judge gave it 115-113 to the challenger. While there were some close rounds, Usyk was the deserved winner.

At the end of the fight, a furious Joshua – quite bizarrely – picked up two of Usyk’s belts, dropped them on the floor and strode towards the dressing room, before turning round and getting back into the ring to give an impassioned speech.

“Usyk is one hell of a fighter. That’s just emotion,” he said. “If you knew my story, you’d understand the passion. I’m not an amateur boxer. I was going to jail and I got bail and I started training.

Joshua breaks down in his post-fight press conference after loss to Usyk

“It shows the passion we put into this. For this guy to beat me tonight, it shows the levels of hard work he must have put in, so please give him a round of applause as heavyweight champion of world.

“They said that I’m not a 12-round fighter. I ain’t 14 stone, I’m 18 stone, I’m heavy. It’s hard work. This guy here is phenomenal.”

Joshua has now suffered back-to-back defeats against Usyk, with the champion retaining the WBA (Super), WBO and IBF titles he won in London last September.

• Usyk calls out Fury

Usyk says he only wants to fight Tyson Fury

Joshua had some success in the fight – and enjoyed his best round in the ninth, charging Usyk down and unloading a flurry of punches, reminiscent of the AJ of old.

But such is the brilliance of Usyk, he came back fighting in the 10th round and was landing clean blow after blow. Usyk landed a five-punch combination, and Joshua became a sitting duck.

Joshua fatigued and Usyk – who just a few months ago was defending his nation against the Russian invasion – took full advantage in the championship rounds.

“I devote this victory to my family, my country, my team, to all the military defending this country – thank you so much,” he said, before calling out WBC champion Tyson Fury.

“I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I’m not fighting Fury, I’m not fighting at all.

“Only God knows whether I will fight him or not but all these gentlemen here around me, my team, they are going to help me.”

Fury recently announced his retirement but has until 26 August to decide on whether he will relinquish the belt.

The Gypsy King took to social media to criticise both fighters, and may not yet be done with boxing. The carrot of a clash with Usyk – one which would certainly cement the winner’s legacy as an all-time great – is dangling.

Tyson Fury reacts to Anthony Joshua’s defeat by Oleksandr Usyk

• Usyk shines in Jeddah

The boxers made their ring walks at approximately 01:00 local time. Even in those early hours, there were temperatures of 30C, as approximately 12,000 fans filled out the air-conditioned King Abdullah Sport City Arena.

A crowd that was somewhat subdued for most of the night came alive as Joshua – the challenger – marched to the ring first. Jeers echoed around the arena as Usyk followed. It was clear who the fan favourite was.

Heading into the fight, there were questions as to how well Joshua and new trainer Robert Garcia had gelled, having only started working together this year.

The opening few rounds were close, but ones which Usyk most likely edged. After three rounds, American Garcia told Joshua he had won every round.

The champion was given time to recover in the fifth round after a Joshua low blow had him wincing. A two-punch combination to Joshua’s midriff and head, from range, was the pick of the sixth round.

As the fight progressed, Usyk’s movement started to dictate the fight. He landed a counter left in the seventh, before Joshua unloaded two smart shots to the body in the eight.

Then came the two of the most memorable rounds, out of the 24 across two bouts, between the two fighters. Joshua gave it everything in the ninth, and appeared to have Usyk in a spot of bother. Perhaps it was a ploy from Usyk to tire Joshua out. In the 10th, he broke Joshua’s resolve – and went on to take the fight.

• Did Joshua answer his critics?

Joshua was upset after the decision and spoke directly to the crowd

Before the fight, Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn insisted defeat would not spell retirement but described the bout as must-win.

After a third loss in five bouts, Joshua now has to resurrect his career. But he can take positives from his performance. His reputation and legacy have been dealt a blow, but perhaps not as heavy as many predicted.

In June 2019, Joshua suffered a shocking knockout defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr in New York. Six months later, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Joshua recaptured his heavyweight crown with a disciplined points win.

Beating Usyk, however, was a totally different challenge. Joshua was in against a pound-for-pound star – the trickiest of southpaws. And he was facing a patriotic Ukrainian determined to bring some much-needed joy to a nation torn apart through war.

Boxing fans wanted to see some heart and fight from Joshua. In the 10th round, when under attack from Usyk, he barked “come on” at his opponent.

Such is the beast of heavyweight boxing and the level of fame bestowed on Joshua, there will always be critics. This time, though, perhaps not for his performance, but for his post-fight interview.

Joshua’s reign as IBF, WBA and WBO champion was ended in a sensational fight which Usyk took by a unanimous decision after a scintillating performance.

Joshua was badly hurt in the third round and then forced to cling on in the closing seconds of a fight which will live long in the memory.

‘Joshua got his tactics wrong to face Usyk’

The second defeat of Joshua’s career, after he was upset by Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, will now devastate hopes of the dream undisputed title fight against Tyson Fury, who again faces Deontay Wilder on October 9, after Usyk inflicted another twist in this incredible division.

Though Joshua was brave and gutsy, and caused damage on his challenger’s face, the night belonged to Usyk who became only the third boxer (after Evander Holyfield and David Haye) to win world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.

He was the undisputed cruiserweight champion and is now only missing the WBC belt, owned by Fury, to match that feat at heavyweight.

Usyk twice touched Joshua with his fast left hand inside the opening round – any idea that he would box cautiously evaporated within seconds when his intention became clear to take the centre of the ring.

The speed and movement of Usyk was mesmerising for the first few rounds and he was constantly beating Joshua to the punch.

Joshua’s legs dramatically dipped, causing the crowd to gasp, when Usyk staggered him with another brilliant left hand at the conclusion of the third round.

Joshua landed his first significant right hand in the fifth round, drawing a wry smile from Usyk, but it was clear that the champion had finally left his mark. He found another right hand on the bell for the end of the fifth.

Those shots forced Usyk onto his back foot in the sixth, when Joshua landed an even more solid right hand. Usyk ended the round with a black eye and a reddened face having felt his power.

Joshua’s confidence grew as he landed a left hook to the body but, when he went upstairs, Usyk shot back with venom.

Joshua was then sent staggering backwards, and he did well to maintain his footing, when Usyk clipped him with a left hand in an engrossing seventh.

Joshua thudded several powerful body punches home in the eighth – it was clear that the enigmatic Ukrainian was feeling the extra weight of the Brit in those shots.

Both fighters had substantial wounds by the 10th – Usyk was cut and had blood seeping into his eye, but more worryingly Joshua’s right eye was badly swollen.

Usyk’s fast start in the 11th had Joshua off-balance and in danger of tumbling over, although the champion did fire back.

Joshua: I’ll fight Fury or Wilder without the belts

Usyk’s post-fight reaction to beating Joshua

Usyk was throwing more punches but Joshua was bravely standing his ground and trying gallantly to cling onto his titles.

Joshua was forced to desperately survive on the ropes as the final bell rang under an intense onslaught from Usyk. He stayed upright but it was not enough to salvage his second reign as champion.

The 53-year-old, looking the fittest he has in years, showed that he still possesses much of the speed and explosive power that made him the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history.

Anthony Joshua, who currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles, says ‘Iron Mike’ was his idol growing up and would relish his return to the sport.

“If he’s back in the ring then I would love to see it, I would definitely be one of the viewers that’s for sure,” Joshua told British GQ. “That’s the man who got me [into boxing].

“Do you know what it was with Mike, when I watched him on YouTube, I see a little kid that was 13 and I truly believe — no matter what anyone has to say about Mike Tyson now in terms of what he went through when he was fighting, some of the controversy he went through — the guy took himself from his neighborhood, which wasn’t the prettiest of scenes, up to an amateur champion, to the youngest ever world champion, to one of the most recognized faces of the sport.”

After becoming the youngest heavyweight champion ever at just 20 years old in 1986, Tyson was sent to prison for three years following a 1992 rape conviction.

‘Working out for health and wellness’

Recent reports have suggested Tyson could return to the ring in a series of exhibition fights in Australia, while Evander Holyfield — who infamously had a chunk of his ear bitten off in a fight with Tyson — admitted he would be open to a rematch.

Max Markson, who works with Australia’s leading boxing promoter Brian Amatruda, told CNN they hope to bring Tyson to Australia in 2020 or 2021 to fight high-profile names such as All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams.

However, Rob Hickman, CEO of Tyson’s licensing & branding company Tyson Ranch, said the former world heavyweight champion is instead looking to fight in the US.

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“Mike wants to do exhibition matches in the States for the homeless and addicted in America,” he told CNN. “Mike is working out for his own health and wellness.

“It is 15 years since Tyson last fought professionally, a sad defeat to Kevin McBride, but Joshua insists the American will only view his time away from the sport as an extended absence.

“This is what we breathe, this is what we are, and especially someone like Iron Mike Tyson, that’s all that man knows,” Joshua said.

“So for everyone else it’s a comeback but for him it’s just what he does, he’s a fighter.

“So he’s probably just taken a little break but for everyone else it’s: ‘Oh my God, Mike Tyson is making a comeback’ but for Mike Tyson it’s like: ‘This is what I do, I’m a fighter by nature.’

“In my opinion, the only two faces that are recognized in boxing globally are Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. They’re the main faces of this sport. So from where he started to where he is now, he is my ultimate motivation.

“The reason I say is that because he’s the closest guy that was to my generation so he holds a special place in my heart.”

The visit came barely six months after he came to Nigeria and paid a courtesy visit to Makoko area of Lagos State ahead of his much-anticipated fight against Mexican heavyweight star, Andy Ruiz Jr.

Joshua arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday morning, and took to work by getting himself enrolled into the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) data, though the process was dragged into the whirlpool of criticism.

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Joshua later took a tour of his hometown in Ogun State alongside his 4-year-old son Prince Joseph Bayley Temiloluwa Joshua where he was welcomed by a teeming legion of people of the community.

He also visited the the palace of some of his kinsmen to equip himself with the country’s history.

Earlier, Joshua had met President Muhammadu Buhari who was in the United Kingdom for the Investment Summit.

Six months on from the night Ruiz stunned boxing, Joshua risked seeing his career left in tatters with a second defeat, but served up 36 minutes of movement and well-timed punching to take the IBF, WBA and WBO titles back to Britain.

After cutting his Mexican rival inside the first round he never looked back and picked out smart jabs and right hands throughout before being serenaded with chants of “AJ, AJ, AJ” by 14,000 or so fans in the Diriyah Arena.

Ruiz never looked close to landing a knockdown and when scores of 118-110 118-110 and 119-109 were read out, Joshua jumped up and down in the ring in celebration, just as the man who had wrecked his US debut did in June.

Joshua gets it right all night

Joshua now joins a small cluster of men including Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Floyd Patterson to reclaim the world heavyweight title.

Patterson fell to the canvas seven times in one round to lose his belts to Ingemar Johansson in 1959 but regained them in a rematch. Questions had swirled as to whether Joshua could show the same mental fortitude after being taken down multiple times by Ruiz and his answer was emphatic.

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A downpour in a country that barely sees rain in a calendar year stopped moments before Joshua strode to the ring, prompting him to carefully dry his feet on the canvas.

From there on his feet moved with grace. Seconds before the off, Ruiz was told “let’s go Andy” by his corner but he was rarely allowed to get close to his rival and inflict the damage he did in the first fight.

Ruiz, the bookmakers’ underdog again, was cut above his left eye in the first. He landed two jabs of his own in the second but took a left hook as Joshua moved with the lightness of a man at his lowest weight in five years.

He was burning energy but was slick and showed variety in working head and body in the third. A crowd unfamiliar with the sweet science at such close quarters offered audible applause and cheers as the smart work landed.

There was always tension given the speed with which Ruiz’s gold gloves can move and in the eighth he served up a first scare. As the pair tangled, Ruiz made things ugly and winged in a hook. The crowd stamped their feet while Ruiz’s fighting compatriot Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez stood and screamed ringside.

The ninth felt key, Joshua needed to establish distance again. He landed a solid uppercut but saw Ruiz fire back wildly instantly. Again, the incredible durability of the champion and the constant threat he carried was evident.

Deep in the 12th, Ruiz beat his chest as if to dare Joshua close. After a night of lateral movement and poise, it was never going to happen. Joshua glared out at the crowd as the bell sounded. It was a look of a defiance. It was the look of a man who had proved his point.

Watch the highlights in the featured video above: Video credit: Stan Davis

Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua; boxing’s heavyweight division was very much a three-man party until it was gatecrashed by a chubby Mexican who came in as a last minute replacement for Jarell Miller.

The American tested positive for the banned substance GW1516, which boosts endurance and helps athletes burn fat.

While Miller was believed to be a genuine threat to Joshua, Andy Ruiz, whose most notable outing was a controversial loss to Joseph Parker was considered a burnt offering to appease the thousands of disappointed fight fans who had bought tickets and pay per view.

Ruiz had other ideas, and perhaps if Joshua’s camp had paid attention to the Mexican’s 2016 fight against Parker, a different opponent would have been chosen- Bermane Stiverne perhaps.

The outcome of the bout in the summer shocked many but the world of Sports is awash with stories of last minute replacements and massive underdogs rewriting scripts.

Denmark’s triumph at Euro 1992 when they entered the tournament after Yugoslavia was disqualified mirrors what Ruiz did in the summer. Copa 2001 cannot be talked about without mentioning Honduras’ 2-0 victory against Brazil.

Honduras entered the tournament as last minute replacement for Argentina and went on to beat a Brazilian side that won the world cup a year later.

There aren’t shortages of examples in boxing; Hasim Rahman and Buster Douglas have been mentioned a lot in the aftermath of Ruiz’s triumph for their respective shock victories over Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson.

While Douglas never got the chance to repeat the feat and quell any talk of a fluke, if it ever was, Rahman lasted only four rounds in the rematch seven months after his victory in South Africa. Ruiz’s victory has been discussed in that light but only time will tell if he can repeat the dose and put to bed any questions about his place among the division’s elite.

It is easy to look at Ruiz’s body and write him off, and many did. The fact is Andy Ruiz is not a good boxer, he’s a great boxer, and he’s Mexican. It should count for something. His was a style match up nightmare for AJ. Camp Joshua made a lot of mistakes.

Not paying attention to Ruiz’s 32 fight record was one of them. Half that number had been won by knockout. He shouldn’t have been written off.

Surely AJ’s mentality will not be the same, and the same can be said of Ruiz. Joshua believes Ruiz is not on his level but it’s hard to agree on the evidence of the first fight. Even more difficult is trying to ascertain exactly what was wrong with AJ in the first fight.

He seemed not to be where he was supposed to be physically and mentally. Maybe he underestimated Ruiz. Maybe his preparation for the fight was tailor made for Miller and not Ruiz.

There are a dozen maybes and it probably helps that the man has said he’ll make some revelations after beating Ruiz. The maybes notwithstanding, it will be unfair to attribute Ruiz’s victory to what Joshua did or didn’t do.  The man deserves far more respect than he gets. He recovered from an Anthony Joshua knockdown and went on to put up a dominant performance to claim victory. That should count for something.

A lot has changed since the 1^st of June 2019, especially for Andy Ruiz. He raked in a reported $7 million and has bought himself a new house and a Rolls Royce. He’s set to make another $9 million from the rematch on Saturday.

Even more, telling are the changes in betting odds. 6 months ago Proboxingodds.com had Joshua as the sizable favorite with -2500, which meant you needed to wager $2500 to win $100. The website had Ruiz at +900 meaning a $100 bet would win you $900. Today the website has Andy Ruiz at +190 and Joshua at -210.

On Saturday Anthony Joshua returns to the ring as a challenger in a bid to reclaim titles he believes should be his. The ramifications of defeat for AJ cannot be overemphasized. His career will not be over by any stretch but his climb back to the top will be daunting. Surely that long-awaited unification fight against Deontay Wilder will be as good as dead.

It’s a must win fight for AJ and he knows it. He’s got everything to lose and that makes the fight even more difficult. Boxing is a physical sport but AJ must win a mental battle to give himself any chance of winning against an opponent with nothing to lose.

For Ruiz, victory means he rubber stamps his status as AJ’s replacement in that three man show at the top of the division.

Lucrative match ups against Wilder and Fury will be very much the talk of the boxing world. Make no mistake; he wouldn’t look out of place given his ability.

Think about it, there was a time when Bermane Stiverne, Charles Martin and Lucas Browne were heavyweight world champions.

The chubby Mexican-American is in a good place mentally. He only loses a fight if he comes up short. He wasn’t expected to be in this position. He goes into the fight with zero pressure on him and that gives him a mental edge over AJ.

Ruiz will most likely fight the same fight as the first, using his tremendous speed and counter-punching prowess to unsettle AJ.

The compubox numbers from the first fight suggests Ruiz outworked Joshua. He had a 39-23 edge in power connects. AJ landed an average of just 7 of 25 punches per round. That pattern is not likely to change.

If it goes to the scorecard Andy Ruiz is likely to come up tops. The best scenario of an AJ victory is via KO. This is very much a battle of speed vs power.Will Ruiz’s speed run through AJ or will AJ’s power prevail in Saudi Arabia? Will this be repeat or revenge? I say revenge via KO.

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Nigerian-British boxer Anthony Joshua last night defeated Joseph Parker in the heavyweight boxing fight at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Joshua won the fight by a unanimous decision by the three judges after round 12 of the tough boxing fight.
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Following the path that has been walked by boxing legends #AJBXNG

A post shared by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Mar 31, 2018 at 4:13pm PDT

 Joshua and his opponent from New Zealand went into this fight unbeaten, but the British overcame Parker who has never been knocked down according to the commentator of the fight.
Anthony Joshua went into the fight as the holder of the WBA Super and IBF titles, and his victory over Joseph Parker has given him the WBO title addition.

OFFICIAL: Anthony Joshua beat Joseph Parker by unanimous decision and is now the WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion of the world.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽#JoshuaParker pic.twitter.com/RpGEoa30aL

— Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) March 31, 2018

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Anthony Joshua is now the WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion of the world following his success over Parker in Cardiff.
The 28-year-old was announced as the winner by scores of 118-110, 118-110, 119-109 by three judges.
WBC king Wilder is now the only man in Anthony Joshua’s way of unifying the division for the WBC title.