President Muhammadu Buhari has prayed that the victory of Nigerian-born boxer, Anthony Joshua, in last night’s boxing bout against American professional boxer, Jermaine Franklin, would be a stepping stone to one of the greatest comebacks in boxing history.
Commending the triumph of the gifted pugilist over a formidable opponent, President Buhari wished Joshua a bright future and a fulfilling career.
In a statement, late Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said the Nigeria-born boxer’s resilient spirit was commendable.
Extolling the mentality of Joshua, who did not allow personal setbacks and obstacles to dent his resilient spirit, the President disclosed that the former three-time world heavyweight champion had demonstrated that by hard work, patience, dedication, persistence and humility, those who dared, would win.
President Buhari lauded Joshua for his courage and discipline, on and off the ring and prayed that his success would be a stepping stone to one of the greatest comebacks in boxing history.
The President believed that Joshua’s accomplishments on the world stage would continue to inspire many upcoming professionals, particularly sportsmen and women, not to be discouraged by temporary defeats and setbacks.
He wished Joshua a bright future and a fulfilling career.
Joshua returned to winning ways after a unanimous points triumph against an American, Franklin, at the London 02 Arena, Saturday night.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Joshua marked his return to action with a unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin, the judges scoring it 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 in favour of the former two-time world champion.
Joshua, 33, went into the ring having lost three of his previous five contests, which included consecutive losses to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua regularly landed with his left jab and caught Franklin, 29, on several occasions with his powerful right but the American stood firm – and on occasion cheekily poked his tongue out at his far bigger and taller opponent.
There was a bizarre moment in the final 12th round when Joshua pushed his head into Franklin sparking an angry reaction from Lorenzo Adams, the strength and conditioning coach of the US boxer, who pushed the Finchley fighter.
