- Anthony Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko to become the World Heavyweight Champion
- The British boxer had wanted to represent Nigeria, but was told "no chance"
- The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said Nigeria is proud of him and the 27-year-old will soon be invited
The federal government has congratulated British professional boxer of Nigerian descent Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua, who recently defeated Ukrane's Wladimir Klitschko to become the unified World Heavyweight Champion.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday, May 2, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said Nigeria is proud to be associated with the new unified world champion, whose Nigerian heritage he has publicly acknowledged.
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FG congratulates Anthony Joshua
"My heart is in Nigeria, My heart is in Britain. I am a Nigerian man by blood, yes,'' the Minister quoted Joshua as saying in a recent interview, during which the boxer also listed the secret of his success as pounded yam, eba and egusi - all Nigerian cuisine.
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He hailed Joshua for his humility, despite his success in boxing, and his undying spirit, coming off the canvas after he was knocked down by Klitschko in the sixth round to win by a Technical Knock Out in the 11th round of their pulsating fight.