Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun says his administration will construct Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring in the state.

Abiodun also announced that the two-time former world heavyweight boxing champion would be lighting the Gateway Games National Sports Festival torch, which has been postponed to May 2025.

The governor made this known when he hosted Joshua in his office in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Monday, December 30, 2024.

He stated: “I want to openly request that, besides the fact that today we are going to officially confirm you as our sports ambassador, we want to request that you come back to light up the Gateway Sports Festival torch; you will be the one lighting it up.

“We are going to construct a brand new Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring, and that boxing ring will be in a stadium here in Abeokuta to ensure that you come home more frequently. Besides the fact that you are now our official sports ambassador, we have decided that we will give you a brand new house in Sagamu.”

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Abiodun urged Anthony Joshua to find ways of supporting Ogun State in the area of sports development by working alongside the Director General of the National Sports Commission and the state Commissioner for Sports Development to host a boxing championship in the state.

The governor added that Ogun State is blessed with many talents spreading across music, arts, and sports who are doing very well and, at the same time, placing the state on the world map.

Abiodun said that the state is proud of Joshua’s achievements on the world stage, saying his administration would support his career in every way it can.

In his remarks, Joshua said he would work towards promoting Ogun State to the world by showcasing the numerous talents in the state.

The Star