SPORTS
Hearn: Joshua Back in Training Camp for Comeback Fight
British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has disclosed that former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to resume training camp ahead of a summer comeback fight.
Recall that Joshua last fought on December 19 when he stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in six rounds.
But ten days after that victory, tragedy struck when the former world champion was involved in a horrible road crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends, Kevin ‘Latz’ Ayodele and recovery therapist Sina Ghami.Hearn expressed his excitement that the British boxer will be returning to training for a summer fight despite all he has gone through.
“And I feel like AJ is physically and perhaps mentally ready to throw himself back into that environment.
“And it’s exciting, I mean, for everything that he’s been through and all the pain, I don’t think that will leave.
“But he has a career and he has a job to do in that respect, which he wants to continue doing. And I’m excited to see him back.
“I feel like with fighters – some may disagree watching this – but generally I feel like they’re at their happiest when they’re in training camp.
“Like everything’s there. The regiment is there, the discipline is there, the focus is there, intention’s there, the end goal is there.
“And although it’s a lot of hard work, I really feel like AJ as well when he’s in training camp, that’s him.”
Guinea will face Nigeria’s Flamingos in the final qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Guineans defeated Niger Republic 3-0 in the second leg of their qualifying fixture in Conakry on Saturday.
They won the contest 8-2 on aggregate, following their 5-2 triumph in the first leg last week.
The winner of the Flamingos versus Guinea clash will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Flamingos set up camp in Abuja for the clash with their fellow West Africans last week.
Newly appointed head coach, Akeem Busari invited 36 players to camp for the team’s preparation.
The Nigerian National League (NNL) side, Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, has trimmed its squad and retained a few quality players to push for promotion to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
Lobi Stars Chairman Simon Ikya made the disclosure in a statement signed by Austin Tyowua, Principal Media Officer to the club, and made it available to newsmen on Thursday in Makurdi.
Ikya said that the club took the decision after a meeting with all the players and technical staff at McCarthy Stadium, Makurdi.
The chairman explained that the decision was rooted in duty rather than dislike.
He stated that the players on the exit list would be granted clearance at the end of April once their entitlements were settled.
Ikya added that for those retained, there would be no room for laxity.
The chairman urged them to tighten their belts, keep the focus, and drive the Federation Cup campaign all the way to its final stop.
Meanwhile, the list of retained players was read out by the head coach, John Onuh.
The Kogi State Government has pledged to prioritise the development of basketball in the state to boost the sport’s profile and promote youth engagement.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Anyebe, made the pledge at the inauguration of the Kogi State Basketball Association on Tuesday in Lokoja.
Anyebe assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to the development of basketball under the administration of Gov.
Ahmed Ododo.Represented by the Director of Sports in the state, James Igah, the commissioner said the administration would focus on nurturing basketball, particularly in rural areas, to enhance youth development.
He added that the government would collaborate with the association to promote sports development across the state.
Anyebe urged the newly inaugurated executives of the association to come up with innovative ideas to advance the sport.
Responding, the Chairman of the Kogi State Basketball Association, Mustapha Abdullahi, reaffirmed his commitment to the growth of basketball in the state.
Abdullahi, who is also the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, commended the state government for its efforts in promoting sports development.
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