Sports
Former heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua wants new opponent for August 12
Former heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua is on the hunt for a new opponent for August 12 as he is keen to get into the ring before a proposed December bout against Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia.
According to Eddie Hearn, who promotes both heavyweights, the fight with Dillian Whyte is no longer possible after Whyte rejected the proposal sent to him.
“It’s not true (that Whyte asked for £10m),” Hearn told Boxing Social, addressing recent reports.
“It’s not true at all. We made him an offer, they made it clear it was nowhere near their expectations. Quite honestly there were very little negotiations after that. He never asked for £10m, I’m not sure where that came from, but it’s not the case.”
German boxer, Agit Kabayel has already been linked with Joshua and Hearn said, “He may be on a long list. I mean, anyone in the top 15.
“Look, I don’t mind being honest; Joshua is gonna fight Deontay Wilder in December, that’s 100 per cent our focus, so he needs a fight against someone who is going to allow him to work on – under the lights – everything he’s been working on with (coach) Derrick James.
“There’s no point fighting a fight against someone he’s going to take out in a round. It’s difficult to fight an elite, top-three or top-five guy when you’re fighting Deontay Wilder four months later.
“We’re in a little bit of a difficult position, it is what it is. We want him to fight, I don’t think Saudi (Arabia) want him to fight, because they want him to be ready for Deontay Wilder in December. But we all feel as a team that it would be beneficial for his preparation to have that fight in August.”
Sports
Super Eagles to receive AFCON bonuses before Friday – FG
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said that the payments would be reflected in the players’ domiciliary accounts “starting today or tomorrow”.
The Federal Government has said that the Super Eagles’ match bonuses at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have cleared the necessary regulatory stages.
Ohibaba.com reported the previous day that the Super Eagles had threatened to boycott travel to the host city of their quarter-final match at the AFCON over unpaid allowances.
Nigeria will face Algeria in the quarter-final on Saturday in Marrakesh, a city about five hours away from their current base. The team is scheduled to travel from Fez to Marrakesh today, Thursday.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said that the payments would be reflected in the players’ domiciliary accounts “starting today or tomorrow”.
However, the players and officials were determined to miss the trip unless the outstanding allowances were paid.
The Eagles are yet to receive bonuses for all four matches played at the tournament.
Sports
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles threaten to boycott Algeria match over unpaid win bonuses
It was gathered that win bonuses for the four matches against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Mozambique have yet to be settled.
• Super Eagles win against Mozambique
Super Eagles players have threatened to boycott their quarter final match against Algeria unless all outstanding winning bonuses are paid by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
A highly reliable source within the team disclosed to Vanguard that the team have resolved not to travel to Marrakech for their next match on Thursday this week.
According to the source, players and officials are reportedly still awaiting their bonus payments from the tournament.
It was gathered that win bonuses for the four matches against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Mozambique have yet to be settled.
While the team remains committed to the competition, they have made it clear that they will not train or travel to Marrakech for the next match unless the outstanding payments are resolved, our source confirmed.
Recall that in November, the team also threatened to boycott their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Gabon, citing unpaid entitlements.
In a joint statement signed by players and staff, the squad said, “The full squad, including officials, withheld from training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments.
The Super Eagles are awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparations for Thursday’s game with Gabon.”
Sports
Fenerbahçe wants to buy Ademola Lookman from Atlanta for €42m
Lookman is currently with the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where he has been one of the tournament’s standout performers.
Photo: Ademola Lookman, in action
Turkish giants Fenerbahçe are preparing a January move for Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman as the Yellow Canaries look to strengthen their attacking options with the Nigerian winger.
Sport Mediaset journalist Orazio Accomando, hinted that Fenerbahçe are ready to submit an offer structured as a €5 million paid loan, with a right, or potential obligation, to buy set at €37 million, taking the total package to €42 million.
Discussions are still at an early stage, but Lookman has been identified as a priority target as the Istanbul club seeks to reinforce its squad.
Atalanta, however, value the Nigerian international highly following his impressive performances in Serie A and European competition and are reluctant to approve any deal that delays a permanent sale unless the conditions are particularly favourable.
Lookman is currently with the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where he has been one of the tournament’s standout performers.
The former African Player of the Year has recorded three goals and four assists in just three matches, performances that have significantly boosted his market value.
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