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.
Taekwondo Unity Cup 2025: A Resounding Success In Abuja
By Ifeoma Ikem
The 4th edition of the FCT Unity Taekwondo Cup has come to a close, leaving behind a trail of excitement, sportsmanship, and unity. Held from June 12 to 14, 2025, at the NAF Valley Estate Multipurpose Hall in Asokoro, Abuja, the tournament brought together over 300 athletes from 21 clubs and institutions.
The three-day event was a masterclass in martial arts, with participants showcasing their skills in poomsae and electronic sparring contests.
The Nigeria Army emerged as the overall winner in the adults sparring category, followed closely by Astric (FCT Police Command), the Korean Cultural Centre, and the Nigerian Air Force.
The tournament also provided a platform for kids from different taekwondo clubs to compete and showcase their talents. The event was graced by senior military and law enforcement officers, including board members of the FCT chapter of the Taekwondo Supporters Club of Nigeria.
The Nigeria Army was recognized as the most consistent team, while Master Marcus S. Musa from the Air Force was awarded the Best Coach in the adult team category. BeeGee TKD Club emerged as the overall best team, and Master Raymond Tiamiyu was recognized as the Best Coach in the kid’s category. Kalu Chijioke Jnr and Ogugua Mmaduabuchi were awarded the Most Valuable Adult Fighter and Most Valuable Kid Fighter, respectively. Oyebamiji Richard was recognized as the Most Valuable Poomsae Athlete.
The tournament served as a window for civil-military relations, providing a stage for positive youth expression. Group Captain AO Adeyeye, Director of Sports at HQ NAF, representing the Chief of Air Staff, noted that the annual Taekwondo Unity Cup has been instrumental in fostering unity and promoting sportsmanship among participants.
The Chairman of the Taekwondo Unity Cup, Master Gbolahan Ogunmuyiwa, encouraged parents to incorporate physical fitness training into their children’s education. He emphasized that taekwondo is one of the safest combat sports that can help kids become more physically active, improve flexibility, and enhance cardiovascular health.
The event concluded with the presentation of merit awards to dignitaries and winners. The 4th edition of the FCT Unity Taekwondo Cup was a resounding success, promoting unity, sportsmanship, and physical fitness among participants. As the tournament comes to a close, the organizers and participants alike are already looking forward to the next edition, eager to continue the momentum and growth of taekwondo in the region.
The success of the tournament is a testament to the power of sports to bring people together and promote positive values. As the participants and winners celebrated their achievements, it was clear that the Taekwondo Unity Cup has become a significant event in the region’s sports calendar. With its emphasis on unity, sportsmanship, and physical fitness, the tournament is poised to continue making a positive impact on the lives of young athletes in the region.
The Queen Returns: Ogundele Rasheedat’s Golden Comeback Story
She conquered Port Harcourt in 2011. Dominated Lagos in 2012. Nearly reclaimed her throne in Delta in 2022. Now, Nigerian table tennis veteran, international umpire, ( Ogundele Rasheedat ) is back and she’s aiming for gold at the ongoing OGUN National Sports Festival Games 2025.
Representing Delta State, Rasheedat returns to the table with a bold mission: to reclaim her crown in the Women’s Singles category and complete her Sports Festival Games legacy with yet another gold medal.
“I’ve stood at the top before and I’m here for the gold again,” said Rasheedat confidently in an interview. “This is more than a competition. This is legacy, redemption, and proof that champions don’t fade, they evolve.”
Rasheedat is not your everyday athlete. She wears two hats like a boss, a decorated table tennis player and a certified international umpire. She’s been repping Nigeria not just as a competitor but also as an official on global stages. That’s rare.
Check out her record:
Gold Medal – Women’s Singles, Port Harcourt Festival Games (2011)
🥇 Gold Medal – Women’s Singles, Lagos Festival Games (2012)
🥈 Silver Medal – Women’s Singles, Delta Festival Games (2022)
This year in Abeokuta, she’s not just coming to participate, she’s writing the next chapter of her legacy. And fans are rooting for her all the way. She’s a living proof that you can be versatile, consistent, and elite. Her journey inspires not just players, but officials, fans, and the next generation.
So as the Festival Games heat up in Ogun 2025, all eyes are on the Queen of the Table. Watch out for her because she’s not done yet.
Follow her journey. Let’s show love, share her story, and support our own.
Follow her on socials:
Instagram: @its.rasheedah
TikTok: @its.rasheedah24
Hashtags:
#RasheedatReturns #GoldenComeback #OGUN2025Queen
Media Contact:
Feezyking Cr8 – PR Desk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +234 703 853 1294
Ogun Set to Host Most Ambitious National Sports Festival Yet – NSC Chairman*
_as NSC Affirms State’s Readiness Ahead of Gateway Games 2024_
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially confirmed that Ogun State is fully prepared to host the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, following a comprehensive inspection tour of competition venues, logistics hubs, and athlete accommodations across the state.
Led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission’s delegation visited key facilities including the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Alake Sports Centre, Remo Stars Sports Complex, and Babcock University, which will serve as the athletes’ village for the Festival.
The Gateway Games 2024, scheduled to run from May 16 to 30, will bring together thousands of athletes and officials from across Nigeria, competing in more than 32 disciplines, making it one of the largest and most inclusive editions in the Festival’s history.
Speaking after the tour, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko expressed deep confidence in Ogun’s capacity to deliver a landmark event. According to him, “What I have seen here in Ogun is more than infrastructure. It is intent readiness, and ambition. Ogun is set to deliver a brilliant National Sports Festival that will raise the bar and define the standard for future games across Nigeria.”
Reaffirming the state’s commitment, Governor Dapo Abiodun assured the Commission and the Nigerian people of Ogun’s readiness to deliver a historic Games. “We consider it an honour and a responsibility to host this historic Festival. Every facility, every logistic, every detail has been prepared to showcase the best of Ogun and the promise of Nigeria. The Gateway Games will be a model of what’s possible when states align with national vision,” the Governor said.
As the lead agency for sports governance in Nigeria, the National Sports Commission continues to play a central role in coordinating nationwide sports development delivery, enforcing standards, and deepening synergy across all tiers of government. The success of the Gateway Games will serve as a blueprint for future sports development initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
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