Nigerian heavyweight boxer Efe Ajagba has sparked debate by questioning Anthony Joshua’s connection to Nigeria, suggesting the former unified world champion should not be considered a “true Nigerian.”
Ajagba’s comments came after his hard-fought majority draw against Congolese rival Martin Bakole at the ANB Arena in Riyadh this week.
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When asked by The Ring about Joshua’s place among top heavyweights, the 30-year-old Ajagba—whose only professional defeat came against Frank Sánchez in 2021—dismissed the idea, taking aim at Joshua’s ties to Nigeria.
“Oh man, I don’t think so,” Ajagba said. “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. Not Joshua—he hasn’t experienced Nigeria. Almost all of his life has been spent in the UK.”
Ajagba went further, accusing Joshua of only visiting Nigeria for “social media content.”
“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.”