Nigeria’s rising heavyweight star Efe Ajagba would embrace a historic fight with Anthony Joshua in Africa.
Both Joshua’s parents hail from Nigeria and the WBA Super, WBO and IBF champion has previously expressed significant interest in defending his titles on the African continent where his roots lie.
The unbeaten Ajagba, who recently left Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions organisation to join Bob Arum’s Top Rank, would appear to represent the perfect opponent if Joshua is to rekindle memories of Muhammad Ali’s legendary encounter with George Foreman in Zaire in 1974.
Ajagba (13-0, 11 KOs) certainly hopes he is the man in the other corner if such a promotion takes place down the line.
“The people would support Joshua because he is the heavyweight champ,” Ajagba told Sky Sports. “[But] skills would beat Joshua, not power. Me and Joshua both have the power. But skills control the power. I have more skills.
“The best weapon of Joshua’s is the left hook and right uppercut. He doesn’t have a good jab.I respect him. He is the heavyweight champion. I respect everything about him – his talent and his potential. He is a humble guy.
“People are saying that I talk Joshua down. But I don’t want to do that. Joshua is from Nigeria so he is a part of Africa, too.
“It would be perfect. Two Nigerian warriors fighting in a title fight.”