A “blockbuster fight” between Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma in Nigeria would create extra international curiosity than Muhammad Ali’s ‘Rumble within the Jungle’, says promoter Dr Ezekiel Adamu.
The British heavyweight stars at present have their very own plans as Joshua returns towards Kristian Prenga later this month earlier than an anticipated all-British battle with Tyson Fury, whereas Itauma faces Filip Hrgovic on August 29.
However Adamu believes Joshua and Itauma, who each have Nigerian heritage, may surpass Ali’s legendary battle with George Foreman in Zaire [former name of DR Congo], in the event that they each shared the ring in Nigeria.
“It’s a global fight. We’ll get some huge numbers when it comes to viewership,” Adamu advised Sky Sports activities.
“When you consider Africa as a complete, we’ve about 1.4 billion individuals in Africa. After which 70 to 75 per cent of that inhabitants between the ages of 15 to 30 or thereabouts. Having these eyeballs on it as effectively too is main.
“After which each of them are international stars. So it is an ideal story in Africa, the place they arrive from, from their roots.
“It is one battle that may really high the Rumble within the Jungle we have been speaking about for about 50 years.
“So I’d like to make that fight happen here.”
Joshua is a two-time world champion who’s on a collision course with long-term rival Fury as he enters the ultimate chapter of his profession, whereas the unbeaten Itauma has blazed a path in the direction of a world title with 14 straight wins.
However Adamu is hopeful Joshua can be fascinated by a battle along with his anticipated successor on African soil.
“AJ has made it clear he wants to become undisputed again, so he’s going to go on and keep fighting after this fight with Fury,” mentioned Adamu.
“He’s got the appetite to keep fighting.
“We’re additionally bringing huge fights right here to Nigeria as effectively. So the one want I might have in some unspecified time in the future earlier than his profession ends, can be to have AJ vs Moses Itauma right here in Nigeria.
“Both Nigerians on Nigerian soil, that would really be a blockbuster fight.”
Adamu has staged plenty of boxing occasions in his house nation and says there’s huge public demand for such a big-name bout.
“Listen, the last show we did in May, we had a 5,000-seat arena and we could have filled it over 10 times. The crowd waiting to get in outside was mental.
“We had virtually about two billion views throughout all social platforms. We had about 4 billion impressions.
“Africa – and Nigeria especially which has got a population of about 250 million people – most of that demography is a youthful demography.
“So in case you use boxing and leisure collectively, it is what we have seen that is actually rising huge time right here.
“The government are involved in it. All the editions we’ve had, the government have been involved in it.
“We have additionally obtained some tremendous manufacturers right here as effectively too.
“I mean, it’s a time bomb waiting to explode to be honest with you.”
