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Anthony Joshua’s Victory Over Pulev, is he ready for Tyson Fury?

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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.

Anthony Joshua's Victory Over Pulev, is he ready for Tyson Fury?

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.

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22 Years After: Arsenal Clinch the Premier League Title as Prophesied by Dr Chris Okafor

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*22 Years After: Arsenal Clinch the Premier League Title as Prophesied by Dr Chris Okafor*

 

When God speaks, none of His words go unfulfilled.

Just a week ago, the Generational Prophet and popular Lagos cleric, Dr Chris Okafor, declared that Arsenal would win the 2025/26 Premier League title. Despite doubts and predictions favoring defending champions Manchester City, the prophet stated clearly that he had received the word directly from God.

On May 19, 2026, that prophecy came to pass.

After Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, Arsenal were confirmed as Premier League champions with one game to spare. It marked the end of a 22-year wait for the Gunners, whose last league title came in the 2003/04 season.

Football fans across the globe are now congratulating Arsenal Football Club on their historic victory. For many believers, it’s another reminder that true prophecy still speaks today.

Dr Chris Okafor is one of the well-known prophets who many say hears directly from God. With this fulfillment, he joins the list of voices whose words have come to pass on the global stage.

 

By Sunday Adeyemi
Society Herald

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PROF. MONDY SELLE GOLD ANNOUNCES SERVICE OF SONGS FOR LATE MOTHER, MA BEDAGBERE JENNIFER GOLD*

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*PROF. MONDY SELLE GOLD ANNOUNCES SERVICE OF SONGS FOR LATE MOTHER, MA BEDAGBERE JENNIFER GOLD*

_A Life Celebrated: Family and Community to Honor 114 Years of Legacy in Newark, New Jersey_

*NEWARK, NEW JERSEY* — Prof. Mondy Selle Gold, Chairman of the Ijaw Diaspora Council and Chairman of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) in the United States, has announced the _Service of Songs_ in honor of his late mother, *Ma Bedagbere Jennifer Gold (nee Ozikozi), Amaokosuere of Torugbene*, who passed away at the age of 114.

In a public statement, Prof. Gold wrote with a deeply reflective heart to invite family, friends, well-wishers, and members of the Ijaw diaspora community to a sacred gathering celebrating the life, quiet strength, and enduring love of the matriarch.

_“This sacred gathering, set aside to celebrate her life, her quiet strength, and the enduring love she shared so generously, has been scheduled as follows,”_ Prof. Gold stated.

The Service of Songs is scheduled to hold on *Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM* at the *Abundant Grace Christian Center (The Newark Foursquare Church), 708 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07108*. And her Burial is slated on 12th -14th July 2026

A reception will follow immediately after the service at the same venue.

The family has indicated that the dress code is optional, suggesting *formal black or white, or all-white attire* in celebration of Ma Bedagbere’s life.

*A Life of Legacy and Cultural Significance*
Ma Bedagbere Jennifer Gold, fondly remembered as _Amaokosuere of Torugbene_, lived 114 years marked by resilience, faith, and generous love for family and community. As a matriarch and custodian of Ijaw cultural values, she was widely respected for her wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to her family and people.

Her passing has drawn condolences from across the Ijaw diaspora and beyond, with tributes highlighting her role as a pillar of strength and a unifying figure within the community.

Prof. Gold humbly requested the prayers, presence, and spiritual support of all attendees as they gather _“to celebrate a life well lived and a soul now at rest in the Lord.”_

_“With sincere love and gratitude,”_ Prof. Gold concluded in his announcement.

*About Prof. Mondy Selle Gold*
Prof. Mondy Selle Gold is the Chairman of the Ijaw Diaspora Council and a prominent voice in diaspora advocacy, politics, cultural preservation, and community development for Ijaw people worldwide. He also serves as the Chairman of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) in the United States, where he continues to champion engagement between the diaspora and homeland development initiatives.

 

PROF. MONDY SELLE GOLD ANNOUNCES SERVICE OF SONGS FOR LATE MOTHER, MA BEDAGBERE JENNIFER GOLD*

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University Farms Urged to Drive Innovation, Boost Revenue

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University Farms Urged to Drive Innovation, Boost Revenue

 

A former Director in the Directorate of Environmental Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Dr. Akinpelu Basiru Ojo has called for the transformation of university farms into centres of innovation and sustainable revenue generation.

Dr. Ojo made this call at the 2026 Pre-Season Farming Seminar organised by the Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), held recently at FUNAAB.

 

While delivering his keynote address on the theme of the seminar, “The University Farm as an Incubation Ground for Innovation and Revenue Generation,” Dr. Ojo noted that university farms have evolved beyond their traditional roles into dynamic hubs for research, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration.

He identified key areas where university farms could drive innovation, including research and development, student entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He further urged DUFARMS to explore opportunities in commercial agricultural production, value addition and agro-processing, consultancy services, research partnerships, agritourism, and intellectual property commercialisation.

Highlighting potential challenges confronting university farms, the former Director listed inadequate funding, weak industry linkages, climate change, environmental risks, and limited commercial orientation. He, however, proposed strategies for optimisation, including the adoption of agribusiness models, integration of modern technologies, strengthened partnerships, promotion of student-led enterprises, and the development of sustainable value chains.

Reflecting on the evolution of DUFARMS, Dr. Ojo paid tribute to past Vice-Chancellors, beginning with the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nimbe Adedipe, whose vision led to the establishment of the University Farm. He also acknowledged milestones recorded under successive administrations, including the expansion of cashew and oil palm plantations, as well as the establishment of processing facilities for value addition.

He further commended the contributions of past and present staff, alongside former students who have attained notable academic positions, encouraging staff to uphold discipline, integrity, and continuous professional development.

As part of his recommendations for future growth, Dr. Ojo proposed the establishment of crop collection plots, revival of underutilised crops, exploration of cashew nutshell liquid production for revenue generation, and expansion of tree crop plantations such as cashew and oil palm.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, who declared the seminar open, emphasised the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning in achieving institutional objectives. He described the seminar as timely and essential, noting that the University was established not only for teaching and research but also for meaningful community engagement, particularly in supporting farmers to enhance productivity.

Prof. Kehinde also commended DUFARMS for its efforts, especially its introduction of value addition initiatives, and urged staff, particularly in livestock production, to scale up activities in poultry, beef, pork, and egg production to improve the visibility and impact of the University Farms.

The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment by participants to reposition DUFARMS as a hub for innovation, practical training, and sustainable revenue generation, in line with global best practices.

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