Nigerian heavyweight boxer Efe Ajagba has caused a stir by saying Anthony Joshua shouldn’t be seen as a real Nigerian.
Ajagba made this statement after his recent intense fight with Martin Bakole from Congo. The match, held at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, ended in a dramatic majority draw.
When The Ring magazine mentioned Anthony Joshua as one of the top boxers, Ajagba quickly disagreed. He questioned Joshua’s true connection to Nigeria, saying he doesn’t believe Joshua should be in the same conversation.
“Oh man,” Ajagba said. “I don’t think so. He’s not a real Nigerian. He might have just been there, and that’s where his parents came from, but for me, I’m the original Nigerian, to be honest. Not Joshua—he hasn’t experienced Nigeria. Almost all of his life has been spent in the UK.”
Ajagba even said that Joshua only comes to Nigeria to take pictures and videos for social media, and not because he really cares about the country.
“It’s okay, it’s all good—but I’m the original Nigerian,” he added. “In Africa, Nigeria is always No. 1 when it comes to sport, and I’m the original Nigerian. That’s what it’s all about—I’ve got power, and I’ve got skills.”
