A proposed heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma in Nigeria could eclipse the legendary 'Rumble in the Jungle', according to Nigerian promoter Dr Ezekiel Adamu. The two British-born stars, both of Nigerian heritage, are currently following separate paths — Joshua returns to action against Kristian Prenga later this month before a potential all-British blockbuster with Tyson Fury, while the unbeaten Itauma faces Filip Hrgovic at The O2 in London on August 29. Yet Adamu, who has staged major boxing events in his home country, believes a meeting between Joshua and Itauma on African soil would become the most-watched fight in history.

The vision for a historic fight

Adamu, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, outlined his ambitious plan. "It's a global fight. We'll get some huge numbers when it comes to viewership," he said. "When you think about Africa as a whole, we have about 1.4 billion people in Africa. And 70 to 75 per cent of that population between the ages of 15 to 30 or thereabouts. Having those eyeballs on it as well too is major." He emphasised the deep cultural connection both fighters have to Nigeria. "And then both of them are global stars. So it's a perfect story in Africa, where they come from, from their roots. It's one fight that will actually top the Rumble in the Jungle we've been talking about for about 50 years. So I'd like to make that fight happen here."

The comparison to Muhammad Ali and George Foreman's 1974 bout in what was then Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) is bold. That fight, promoted by Don King, is widely regarded as the most iconic in boxing history, watched by a record global television audience and immortalised in the documentary 'When We Were Kings'. Ali's upset victory at the age of 32 was a cultural milestone, echoing far beyond sport. Adamu, however, argues that the modern media landscape, combined with Africa's current demographics, could produce even bigger numbers. "We had almost about two billion views across all social platforms. We had about four billion impressions," he said, referencing the recent show he staged in May that featured a 5,000-seat arena that could have been filled ten times over.

The fighters: Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma

Anthony Joshua, 36, is a two-time unified heavyweight world champion. He won the IBF title by stopping Charles Martin in 2016, added the WBA and WBO belts by outpointing Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, and fought epic back-to-back battles with Andy Ruiz Jr before losing his titles to Oleksandr Usyk. Despite setbacks, Joshua remains one of the most recognisable athletes in the world. He holds a record of 28 wins (25 knockouts) and three defeats. His upcoming fight with Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia is part of a longer-term plan to become undisputed champion again, though he first must navigate a potential clash with long-term rival Tyson Fury. Adamu believes Joshua still has the appetite for big fights. "AJ has made it clear he wants to become undisputed again, so he's going to go on and keep fighting after this fight with Fury," Adamu said. "He's got the appetite to keep fighting."

Moses Itauma, 21, is the rising star of the heavyweight division. Born in Nigeria but raised in the UK, he turned professional in 2022 and has bulldozed his way to 14 straight wins, all by knockout except one. His explosive style and devastating punching power have drawn comparisons to a young Mike Tyson. Itauma's last victory, a fourth-round stoppage of Demsey McKean, showcased his hand speed and ring intelligence. He has already captured the WBO International heavyweight title and is ranked among the top contenders by all major sanctioning bodies. The fight against Filip Hrgovic, a seasoned Croatian who pushed Usyk close in the amateurs, will be his toughest test to date. A win would propel Itauma into mandatory position for a world title shot, making a future meeting with Joshua even more compelling.

African boxing and the youth explosion

Adamu's vision is grounded in the explosive growth of boxing in Africa. Nigeria alone has a population of approximately 250 million, with the vast majority under the age of 30. The continent has 1.4 billion people, and according to Adamu, "most of that demography is a youthful demography. So if you use boxing and entertainment together, it's what we've seen that's really growing big time here." The government is increasingly supportive, with Nigeria's Ministry of Youth and Sports development backing major events. "All the editions we've had, the government have been involved in it," Adamu noted. "We've also got some super brands here as well too. I mean, it's a time bomb waiting to explode to be honest with you."

Past attempts to stage big fights in Africa have been rare. The Rumble in the Jungle remains the gold standard, but since then, only a handful of world title bouts have been held on the continent. Nigeria hosted its first world title fight in 2021 when Efe Ajagba fought in Lagos, but the Joshua-Itauma clash would be on an entirely different scale. The potential economic impact is enormous, with tourism, infrastructure, and brand partnerships all likely to flourish. Adamu's promotional company has already proven it can attract huge attention. The May 2026 event, which featured several Nigerian prospects, generated over 4 billion impressions across social platforms. The public demand is palpable: "The last show we did in May, we had a 5,000-seat arena and we could have filled it over 10 times. The crowd waiting to get in outside was mental."

Challenges and timeline

While the ambition is clear, significant hurdles remain. Joshua is contracted to fight in Saudi Arabia for his next outing, and his expected clash with Fury could take place in early 2027, possibly at a major UK stadium like the Principality Stadium. Itauma is still climbing the ranks and must navigate the Hrgovic fight. Negotiations between multiple promoters — including Eddie Hearn (Joshua) and Frank Warren (who works with Itauma via Queensberry) — would be complex. Staging the event in Nigeria also requires world-class infrastructure: a suitable venue, reliable electricity, security, and international broadcast capabilities. Adamu is confident these can be arranged. "We are also looking at bringing big fights here to Nigeria as well. So the one wish I would have at some point before his career ends, would be to have AJ vs Moses Itauma here in Nigeria," he said. "Both Nigerians on Nigerian soil, that would really be a blockbuster fight."

Timing is crucial. Joshua is 36 and has hinted at retirement within a few years. Itauma, at 21, has his prime ahead of him. If Joshua beats Fury and then eventually faces Itauma, the narrative of the old king versus the young prince would be irresistible. Adamu hopes to make it happen within the next two to three years, capitalising on the momentum of African boxing's rise. He knows the legacy of the Rumble in the Jungle will be tough to surpass, but believes the combination of Joshua's global fame, Itauma's rising star, and Africa's youthful population could create an event that captures the world's imagination in a way never seen before. As he put it: "It's one fight that will actually top the Rumble in the Jungle we've been talking about for about 50 years."

Whether or not that prediction proves accurate, the mere possibility of such a fight speaks to the growing influence of African boxing and the enduring appeal of heavyweight championship drama. Fans around the world will be watching closely as both Joshua and Itauma continue their journeys, with Nigeria looming as a potential stage for history.

Source:Sky Sports News