Work continues over the eagerly awaited fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, but Balmoral Promotions' Ezekiel Adamu wants the latter involved in a different all-British heavyweight contest in Nigeria in 2027. The promoter is eyeing a clash between Joshua and rising star Moses Itauma, which he believes could be one of the biggest events in African combat sports history.
Long-standing rivals Fury and Joshua are finally set to share the ring towards the end of this year at Wembley Stadium if an agreement can be reached over a start time in London, after organiser Turki Alalshikh insisted it must begin at 2 a.m. to suit the United States audience. Those negotiations remain ongoing, but Adamu is working on his own ambitious plans. Balmoral Promotions is set to host a show in Lagos on July 31 after staging successful events in 2025, and Adamu recently brought Chris Eubank Jr to Nigeria with the ambition of him headlining in the country in December. Joshua remains a long-term target.
Joshua, who has Nigerian heritage, looked set to fight there earlier this year before he was involved in a fatal car crash last December, which killed friends Latif 'Latz' Ayodele and Sina Ghami. The tragedy understandably delayed plans, but Adamu remains confident. "I mean we made an offer for him to fight some time last year, but it hasn't happened yet. I am 100 per cent certain at some point we will have Joshua fight here in Nigeria," Adamu told the Press Association.
Adamu envisions a bout between Joshua and Moses Itauma, a 21-year-old heavyweight prodigy with a Nigerian father. Itauma visited Nigeria in 2025 and has expressed interest in fighting there. "For us, I've always said it is never about perfection, it is always about momentum. So, we keep going and hopefully get Chris to fight here in December and we'll push on from there. We also have DAZN which is our broadcaster so things are falling in the right places," Adamu added.
The promoter has also spoken with Frank Warren, who promotes Itauma. "I had a meeting with Frank Warren as well and we spoke about it happening [with Itauma fighting in Nigeria]. He said, 'yes, it will happen at some point,' and hopefully next year or some time. Moses is also keen to fight here. Moses knows his roots and he would like to fight here. Putting on an AJ v Moses fight here would be unreal to be honest with you and a major blockbuster. That would be a hell of a blockbuster fight and probably a Netflix kind of fight, but yeah, it would be great to have that type of fight here," Adamu said.
The Nigerian government is supporting these efforts. "The government is supporting what we're doing and we've got some big, powerful brands here. The broadcasters are keen to have these type of things happen. We're speaking with DAZN and looking to build Africa as the next home of combat sports," Adamu elaborated.
Moses Itauma has quickly risen through the heavyweight ranks with an undefeated record and explosive knockout power. At just 21, he already boasts wins over seasoned opponents and is being tipped as a future world champion. A fight with Joshua would be a massive step up, but it would also be a homecoming for both men given their Nigerian lineage. Joshua, a two-time unified heavyweight champion, has long been one of the biggest draws in boxing. His record includes victories over Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin, and Andy Ruiz Jr in a rematch. However, his career has seen ups and downs, including defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and a recent loss to Daniel Dubois. Despite that, Joshua remains a huge name, and his marketability in Africa is immense.
The proposed fight in Nigeria would be historic. Never before has a heavyweight championship-caliber bout been staged in West Africa. Adamu's vision aligns with a broader push by DAZN and other broadcasters to expand into the continent. Nigeria has a massive population and a passionate boxing fan base, but infrastructure challenges have hindered big events. Balmoral Promotions aims to overcome those hurdles with government backing and corporate sponsorship. The July 31 show in Lagos will be a test run, featuring local fighters and perhaps a few international names. If successful, the door opens for Eubank Jr in December and then Joshua in 2027.
Joshua's path to Nigeria is complicated by his upcoming commitments. The Fury fight is scheduled for later this year, though it remains to be seen if the 2 a.m. start time dispute can be resolved. Fury's side has indicated willingness, but Joshua's camp has concerns about the late hour affecting performance. If the fight happens, the winner may then face mandatory challengers or seek other big paydays. Joshua has spoken openly about his Nigerian heritage and desire to fight there. "It would be a dream to fight in front of my Nigerian fans. The energy there is unmatched," he once said in an interview. The delay due to the car crash was heartbreaking, but he remains committed to the idea.
Itauma, meanwhile, is being groomed for big things. His promoter, Frank Warren, sees him as a future champion and has been careful with his matchmaking. A fight with Joshua in Nigeria would be a lucrative and symbolic step. Itauma has been training hard and recently sparred with top heavyweights. His team believes he is ready for the spotlight. "Moses is a special talent. He has the power, speed, and boxing IQ to compete with anyone. Fighting Joshua in Nigeria would be unbelievable," a source close to Itauma said.
The financial implications are significant. A Joshua-Itauma bout in Nigeria could generate massive revenue from pay-per-view, live attendance, and corporate sponsorships. DAZN, which has a multi-year deal with Balmoral Promotions, is keen to broadcast the event globally. The combination of British boxing stars and a Nigerian backdrop could attract a huge international audience. Additionally, the fight would serve as a catalyst for boxing development in Africa, potentially inspiring a new generation of fighters.
Critics, however, point to the challenges. Nigeria's security situation, venue logistics, and power supply have been concerns for past events. But Adamu is undeterred. "We have the support of the government and major brands. We will ensure that the event is world-class. The world will see that Nigeria is ready for big-time boxing," he affirmed.
As the boxing world watches the Fury-Joshua negotiations unfold, Adamu is quietly building the foundation for his dream fight. If all goes according to plan, fans could see Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma sharing the ring in Lagos in 2027, a fight that would transcend sport and become a cultural milestone.
Source: MSN News