Nigerian heavyweight boxer Efe Ajagba has sparked debate by declaring that fellow fighter Anthony Joshua should not be regarded as a true Nigerian.
Ajagba made the bold statement following his intense majority draw against Congolese boxer Martin Bakole at the ANB Arena in Riyadh earlier this week.
In a conversation with The Ring, when the topic of top heavyweight contenders came up—Joshua included—Ajagba, 30, dismissed the idea, casting doubt on Joshua’s ties to Nigeria.
“Oh man, I don’t think so. He’s not a real Nigerian,” Ajagba said. “Maybe he’s just been there, and his parents are from there, but I’m the original Nigerian, to be honest. Not Joshua—he hasn’t experienced Nigeria. He’s spent nearly all his life in the UK.”
Ajagba further accused Joshua of engaging with Nigeria primarily for appearances on social media.
“It’s okay, it’s all good—but I’m the original Nigerian,” he continued. “In Africa, Nigeria is always number one in sport, and I represent that. I’ve got power, and I’ve got skills—that’s what it’s all about.”
