Buhari Celebrates Anthony Joshua’s Victory

• Joshua KOs Kubrat Pulev, retains titles

• Sets stage for Tyson Fury’s showdown

Holidaying President Muhammadu Buhari says Anthony Joshua’s victory in retaining his heavyweight titles has given boxing lovers around the world, and particularly in Nigeria, something to cheer.

Joshua knocked out Bulgarian fighter, Kubrat Pulev in nine rounds to retain his International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles on the night.

A statement by Femi Adesina, Presidential spokesperson in Abuja on Sunday, said President Buhari, who is holidaying in Katsina, made his feelings known while celebrating the Nigerian-born boxer victory over Pulev on Saturday night.

Aldo, recalling his meeting with Joshua in London earlier in the year, the President described him as a humble, well brought up young man, “who will still go places.”

Buhari wished Joshua all the best in his dream fight against Tyson Fury, saying he has the prayers and goodwill of Nigerians.

How Joshua Dusted Pulev To Retain Heavyweight Titles

In a contest that he desperately needed to convince those still doubting his abilities in the rope square, British Boxer, Anthony Joshua knocked out Bulgarian opponent, Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round to set the stage for a showdown with Tyson Fury in what is likely to be the biggest fight in British boxing history.

The victory saw Joshua retained his heavyweight titles and may have obviously cleared the final hurdle that now paves the way for a huge all-British unification fight with Fury soonest

On the night, Joshua, as the book makers’ favourite, had his three heavyweight belts on the line against Pulev inside the SSE Arena at Wembley.

The 31-year-old Watford-born pugilist, went nine interesting rounds with the tough Bulgarian before landing a huge right hand to knock out his rival.

From the beginning, the Bulgarian fighter provided stubborn resistance until the ninth round when he was finally overwhelmed by Joshua’s combination of heavy punches.

After the referee stopped the bout, Joshua quickly left the ring to embrace boxing legend Floyd Mayweather at ringside. Mayweather had, ahead of the bout, described Joshua a “hell of a fighter and a gentleman”.

The 1,000 fans allowed into the arena belted out Joshua’s name as he walked out to The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army.

Both fighters were cagey in the first round, with Joshua the first to throw a punch before Pulev responded with a jab.

Things heated up considerably in the third round and Pulev found himself in deep trouble after being floored by Joshua’s crippling uppercut.

The Bulgarian was eventually saved by the bell and managed to recover in the fourth as Joshua eased off the pressure.

However, it was not enough to overcome the British boxer, who landed a series of uppercuts in the ninth before sending Pulev toppling to the floor.

As the Bulgarian rose, he unleashed a straight right hand that caught the groggy fighter flush. The 39-year old’s remarkable resistance to Joshua’s power was finally defeated as he failed to beat the count.

Speaking after the fight, Joshua told reporters: “I hope everyone was satisfied tonight. For me, I stuck to what I know best, boxing. You ask the crowd what they want to see!”

The fight, which took place in front of 1,000 fans at the SSE Arena at Wembley, was Joshua’s first fight in the UK for two years and sets the stage for him to face fellow Briton Tyson Fury next year.

Both Britons hold all the heavyweight titles after Fury claimed the WBC belt with a stoppage over Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas in February.

The two camps are believed to have agreed financial terms for the fight but the deal still needs to be finalised.

Having put the Pulev debacle behind him, the boxing world is now all about Joshua and Fury meeting next year in a heavyweight blockbuster, likely to take place in Saudi Arabia.

Both fighters own all four of the major heavyweight titles and have in the past 12 months clearly established themselves as the undisputed top boxers in the division.

In one of the undercards on Saturday night, Tyson’s Fury cousin, Hughie Fury, also a heavyweight, won his fight by unanimous decision. – With agency reports