Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has revealed plans to build a new boxing ring in honor of Anthony Joshua, the two-time former world heavyweight boxing champion.
The governor also announced that Joshua would light the National Sports Festival torch in May 2025. This announcement was made during Joshua’s visit to the governor’s office.
Governor Abiodun said: “I want to openly request that, besides the fact that today we are going to officially confirm you as our sports ambassador, we want to request that you come back to light up the Gateway Sports Festival torch; you will be the one lighting it up.”
He added: “We are going to construct a brand-new Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring, which will be located in a stadium here in Abeokuta. This will encourage you to visit home more frequently. Besides making you our official sports ambassador, we have also decided to give you a brand-new house in Sagamu.”
The governor praised Joshua’s achievements on the global stage and pledged the state’s support for his career. He also encouraged Joshua to collaborate with stakeholders to boost sports development in Ogun State.
“We leave you to work with the National Sports Commission and the Commissioner for Sports Development on how to ensure we have activities leading up to the sports festival in your boxing arena,” the governor said.
He further explained that the state is investing heavily in refurbishing and upgrading its sports facilities in preparation for the festival, emphasizing the unifying power of sports.
In response, Anthony Joshua expressed his commitment to promoting Ogun State globally by showcasing the wealth of talent within the state.
