"I'm the Real Nigerian" — Efe Ajagba Dismisses Anthony Joshua’s Nigerian Identity After Fight in Riyadh
Heavyweight boxer Efe Ajagba has sparked debate after questioning Anthony Joshua’s Nigerian roots, claiming the British-Nigerian fighter isn’t a "real Nigerian" and only visits the country for social media content.
Nigerian heavyweight boxer Efe Ajagba has ignited controversy in the boxing world by boldly declaring that Anthony Joshua should not be considered a “real Nigerian.”
The statement came after Ajagba’s intense majority draw against Martin Bakole of Congo during their bout at the ANB Arena in Riyadh this week.
During a post-fight chat with The Ring, the 30-year-old fighter dismissed the idea that Joshua belongs in the same conversation as Nigeria’s top boxing icons:
“Oh man. 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 didn’t hold back as he accused the former unified heavyweight champion of leveraging Nigeria only for “social media content.”
“It’s okay, it’s all good—but I’m the original Nigerian,” he continued. “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.”
The statement has triggered strong reactions online, with fans debating the criteria for being "authentically Nigerian." While some praised Ajagba’s passion and patriotism, others viewed his comments as unnecessarily divisive.
As the boxing world watches closely, one thing is clear: Ajagba is not only gunning for titles but also for national pride.
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