Former soccer trialist, Nigerian-born world boxing heavyweight champion, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua (AJ) has a daring day coming ahead of him, as he is set to get his debut bout in USA on the same night Europe will be agog with the UEFA Champions League final.
Footballlive.ng learnt that, in one of the most dramatic decisions taken in sports history, football-loving Joshua will not be at home to watch the UCL final, as he will be several nautical miles away facing the sport he turned to after failing to makes marks in soccer.
Joshua also honoured the Nigerian in him last year, by turning up to watch the Super Eagles’ friendly with England on Saturday, June 2 at Wembley Stadium.
Joshua has strong ties with Nigeria even though he was born in Watford, there is a tattoo of Africa on his biceps, but June 1, 2019 will be different for him, as his only thoughts will be on another boxing title defence.
So, Madison Square Gardens in New York is where ‘AJ’ will try to divide the attention of the sports world, especially fans in his father’s country, Nigeria, who would love to catch the UCL final fun live.
However, with the prospects of an team from the English Premier League making the final, following Manchester United’s 2-0 loss at home to Paris-Saint Germaine on Tuesday, ‘AJ’ might just be right in thinking of a night in the ring instead of waiting at home for the UCL.
While ‘AJ’ does his thing in God’s Own Country, same night, in Europe, the 64th season of the elite clubs’ money-spinning football tournament, and 27th since it was changed from Cup of Champion Clubs to UEFA Champions League, will hold at Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain.
