Boxing sensation, Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, is savoring a congratulatory letter from the Ooni of Ife,Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the massive support of Nigerians, following his recent defeat of Vladimir Klischko to become the IBF and WBA ‘super’ heavyweight of the world.
Joshua, whose father hails from Sagamu, Ogun State,is said to have been touched and humbled on receiving the Ooni’s letter which was hand delivered to him in London.
Oba Ogunwusi is the first Nigerian leader to officially have his congratulatory letter hand delivered and recognized by Joshua.
Sources close to him said he went over the letter time and again and on each occasion beamed with a smile.
He promised to frame it and hang it on the wall at home.
The letter which was facilitated by Nigerian lawyer – Bob Olukoya – was hand delivered to AJ by elite Nigerian fighter, Larry Ekundayo, and Ben Gray, the owner of commercial agency, World Class Athletes, who specialises in helping Nigeria to deliver on its huge wealth of boxing talent.
Joshua is no less “very proud of his Nigerian roots,” has gathered.
He expressed a genuine interest in hearing how Nigerians massively got behind him during his clash with Klischko.
He plans to visit Nigeria in due course and meet the Ooni in person.
He wants Nigerians to get behind their boxers, especially Ekundayo, ahead of his forthcoming Commonwealth title bout.
Ben Gray said of the meeting: “It was wonderful to be able to help promote Nigeria in this way, and Anthony and his team couldn’t have been more welcoming to us because they know how we have helped represent Nigerian boxing.
“Now that the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo have led the way, I hope that Nigerians everywhere will recognise the huge asset that Anthony and other Nigerian boxers are to their country.
“This is particularly valuable to the country in helping create positive news stories about Nigeria on the international stage, and as a result, I hope we will see proper support of your incredible, world-class talent.”
