Sports
Anthony Joshua’s Victory Over Pulev, is he ready for Tyson Fury?
Anthony Joshua did not let his mind wander ahead of his bout against Kubrat Pulev. He’d tripped over hurdles before, failing to anchor himself in the present. But all week he refused to look beyond Pulev, and that unwavering focus led him to a ninth-round stoppage Saturday in front of 1,000 fans at the SSE Arena in London.
Joshua knocked Pulev down in the third round with a sweetly struck uppercut, yet the Bulgarian’s strong chin kept him in the fight until the ninth. A flurry of uppercuts and a straight right hand eventually floored the spirited Pulev.
For Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs), this was as much an exorcism of that ugly Andy Ruiz Jr. spell as it was a reminder of Joshua’s ruthless ability to stop a fight in its tracks. The uppercut was on point as Joshua lived up to his promise of thrilling, but despite his laser-like focus, this felt like a starter with the main course yet to come.
Joshua didn’t even mention Tyson Fury’s name in the buildup to this fight, but the WBC belt holder and a potential epic matchup in 2021 between them hovered over this bout as an omnipresent distraction. It was only after Pulev had been dispatched that Joshua eventually mentioned those two words of the man standing in the way of a unification
“When I started this game in 2013 I’ve been chasing all the belts, dealing with mandatories,” Joshua said. “Of course, I want a challenge, it’s not about the opponents, it’s about the legacy and the belts — whoever’s got the belt, I’d love to compete with them. If that’s Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury. It’s no big deal.”
Fury turned down Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn’s invite to be ringside at the SSE Arena, but he watched from a distance as Joshua defended his WBA, IBF and WBO titles and lived up to his prefight promise of “destroying [Pulev’s] soul.”
It’s been a long time between fights — a year and five days since Joshua stopped Ruiz in the Saudi Arabia rematch following his Madison Square Garden nightmare. There were concerns Joshua would show ring rust, but to combat that, he sparred throughout Thursday evening of fight week, alarming his trainer Rob McCracken by not wearing headgear just days out from the fight.
Pulev (28-2, 14 KOs), 39, was a competent opponent and did land a few jabs on Joshua, but the British fighter was in control throughout.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. was ringside, calling on Joshua to use the jab more, but Joshua did this his way and stuck to the plan of dispatching Pulev and avoiding another slip-up.
He prepared for this fight like Wladimir Klitschko did for Pulev back in 2014. Back then Joshua was one of Klitschko’s sparring partners. He spoke to the Ukrainian great for an hour on the phone Wednesday, looking for inside information on his opponent and gleaning any knowledge from Klitschko on how he inflicted the only other defeat in Pulev’s career before Saturday.
This performance was reminiscent of Klitschko, as were his postfight words.
“I’m the best version of me — I’m not in a fight with anyone else, just myself,” Joshua said, avoiding any predictions of who he’d get down the line.
The next step for Joshua could be mandatory WBO challenger Oleksandr Usyk, but the boxing world wants to see the all-British superfight against Fury. The “Gypsy King” has taken a chunk of Joshua’s spotlight this year thanks to his win over Deontay Wilder back in February, but Joshua will never linger long in the shadows.
Joshua will know deep down he’ll have to improve further if he is to defeat Fury. It felt as though he could have finished this fight against Pulev earlier, but let the Bulgarian get back in. Against an opponent like Fury, he can’t afford to give those opportunities, nor get drawn in by Fury’s distractions. Joshua has long prided himself on avoiding the pantomime of boxing. He was concerned that his win over Ruiz back in December wasn’t entertaining enough. After Saturday’s victory over Pulev, he immediately spoke of his hope that the 1,000 fans lucky enough to secure one of the tickets had enjoyed the show. But this was about winning, little else.
It was just like Joshua’s previous fight in the U.K., which was back in 2018. It was in the same corner of London, complete with the flaming AJ initials and the White Stripes’ chest-thumping bass guitar riff to welcome Joshua into the arena. Back then, his seventh-round stoppage of Alexander Povetkin was meant to be the last hurdle before a unification fight. But Joshua’s perfectly laid out plan for world domination had to wait as Ruiz stunned the Brit and the boxing world. This victory saw him steer his show back on track. This victory offers Joshua the platform to chase boxing immortality with Fury, who turned to Instagram postfight promising to knock Joshua out in three rounds, lying in wait.
Joshua has done his bit — he built his preparations on “less talk, more action.” That’s his message to the waiting boxing world. Now the power brokers need to get the deal done to give boxing the fight it wants.
Sports
Adron Homes Champions Sports Sponsorship and Talent Discovery with 7th Edition of Adron Games
Adron Homes Champions Sports Sponsorship and Talent Discovery with 7th Edition of Adron Games
After six successful editions, Adron Homes & Properties continues to play a pivotal role in the development of sports and talent discovery in Nigeria through its annual sporting event, the Adron Games. What began as a corporate wellness initiative has now grown into one of the nation’s premier platforms for identifying and nurturing young talents, while promoting physical fitness and community engagement.
The 2024 edition, themed “Fit to Be the Biggest”, marks the 7th consecutive year of Adron Games, further cementing the company’s commitment to the sponsorship of grassroots sports. With each edition, Adron Homes not only creates a space for corporate teams and individuals to compete but also paves the way for the next generation of athletes to shine on a national stage.
This year’s event, set to take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan from November 29th to 30th, brings even more opportunities for young athletes to showcase their abilities across a wide variety of sporting disciplines, including Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics, Table Tennis, Snooker, Shot Put, Long Jump, E-sports, and Tug of War. With two Nigeria’s Ex International, Daniel Amokachi and Mutiu Adepoju both legendary figures in Nigerian football serving as ambassadors, the games underscore the crucial role of sports in shaping lives and fostering unity.
Daniel Amokachi, while addressing the media at the event’s unveiling, emphasized the need for consistent support from businesses and brands to nurture talent in Nigeria. “Sports in Nigeria need more support from businesses and brands to help discover and nurture young talent. Through initiatives like the Adron Games, we’re able to uncover the next generation of stars while also promoting a healthy lifestyle,” said Amokachi.
In line with Adron Homes’ strategic goals, Emmanuel Oladapo, Director of Sport Adron Homes and the Organising Department, shed light on the innovative developments and strategies being brought to this year’s games. During his speech, Oladapo emphasized the importance of preparation and structure in making this year’s Adron Games the most successful yet.
“We’re focused on ensuring that every aspect of this year’s games is elevated. From athlete development to team preparation, my team and I are introducing new strategies that will provide a more competitive and organized experience for all participants. We want to make sure the games grow bigger each year while also ensuring that they remain an important platform for talent discovery,” Oladapo stated.
He further highlighted a series of pre-event activities leading up to November, which have been designed to ensure that teams are fully prepared for the competition. These preparatory events, which include team training sessions, practice tournaments, and fitness camps, will help refine skills and foster teamwork among the athletes. “We want the teams to have ample opportunity to train, strategize, and perfect their game before the main event in November,” Oladapo explained.
As part of the unveiling, Oladapo also showcased the official team jerseys, which were presented to the respective teams. The jerseys, designed to promote team spirit and a sense of unity, reflect the vibrant and competitive nature of Adron Games. “These jerseys represent more than just clothing; they symbolize the hard work, dedication, and passion that each team will bring to the field. We’re proud to have created a look that inspires pride and excellence,” he added.
By investing in sports sponsorship, Adron Homes not only encourages a culture of fitness and wellness but also contributes to the larger goal of empowering youth and developing Nigeria’s sports industry. The company’s Group Managing Director, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has been at the forefront of these efforts, recognizing the transformative power of sports as a tool for positive change.
Mutiu Adepoju, speaking at the media briefing, echoed this sentiment, stressing the unifying power of sports and commending Adron Homes for their ongoing dedication to its promotion. “Sports is not only about fitness but also about unity and creating opportunities for the youth. Adron Homes’ commitment to this cause is invaluable in the continued development of sports in Nigeria,” Adepoju remarked.
As Adron Games 2024 approaches, the spotlight is once again on sports as a catalyst for talent discovery and community development, with Adron Homes & Properties leading the charge.
For more information, sponsorship, vendor registration and inquiries, please contact:
Mr Emmanuel Oladapo: 08100760100
Adron Sports Foundation: 08061594375
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