Oshoala sends goodwill message to Anthony Joshua after he fails to regain his titles

NIGERIAN nominee for the World Female Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala has sent a goodwill message to former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua following his loss to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk last night.

Yesterday, Joshua failed in his bid to regain his heavyweight titles that he lost last year,  In a development that shocked the sporting world in September 2021, Joshua, 31, was outclassed by Usyk, 34, at the at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, as the Ukrainian secured a unanimous points victory.

With the defeat, Joshua lost the heavyweight World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation  belts but he has vowed to regain them.. Yesterday, he lost the rematch, suffered the third defeat of his career as Usyk produced a terrific performance to win by split decision.

In response Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala, who recently became the first Nigerian ever to be nominated for the Women's Ballon d'Or, sent the former champion a message. He lost the rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as Usyk won a split decision and condemned Joshua to his third career loss.

Joshua showed remarkable improvement from the duo’s first meeting, with his aggressiveness and intent troubling his opponent on several occasions. However, his effort was ultimately not enough as Usyk’s brilliance and ring savviness won the day.

Oshoala had backed compatriot Joshua to reclaim the heavyweight titles from Usyk but the five-time African player of the year could not hide her disappointment at the outcome of the clash billed as the Rage on the Red Sea. Although Joshua displayed the resilient Nigerian spirit, Oshoala is unhappy that the 32-year-old did not knock out his Ukrainian foe.

Oshoala wrote on Twitter: “I felt AJ had like two occasions where he could’ve gone in for a knock out  but he was too tired. Omo na we wey no too understand the sport dey analyze pass. Anyway we are coming back, Naija for life."