Sports
Anthony Joshua, Fury, others emerge as world richest boxers
Nigerians have been doing well in all sporting activities in recent times, including boxing, with Anthony Joshua emerging as one of the richest boxers in the world according to their net worth.
In January 2022, we saw a record-breaking purse bid of £31 million from Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions to stage Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte.
In boxing, the roar of the crowds and the knockout punches often translate into multi-million dollar paychecks, propelling fighters into the upper echelons of wealth.
A report done by PUNCH Sports Extra shows Joshua and others as the top ten richest boxers in the world and here is the full list:
1. Canelo Alvarez
Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez, the wealthiest active boxer worldwide, boasts an astronomical net worth of $180m.
Alvarez, 33 years old, has won multiple world championships in four weight classes from light middleweight to light heavyweight, including unified titles in three of those weight classes and lineal titles in two.
2. Anthony Joshua
34 years old Joshua’s meteoric ascent to the upper echelons of financial prowess parallels his ferocity within the squared circle. Renowned for his explosive punches and an impressive record of 26 victories in 29 bouts, with a staggering 23 of those triumphs ending by knockout, the Watford-born pugilist has showcased his dominance against renowned adversaries like Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian White and Charles Martin.
3. Tyson Fury
The British heavyweight maestro, Tyson Fury, 35, stands tall in third place with a net worth of $65m. With 33 victories in 34 bouts, including 24 knockouts, Fury’s showdowns against Wilder and Derek Chisora have added luster to his illustrious career.
4. Oleksandr Usyk
Ukrainian sensation, Oleksandr Usyk, 36, has accumulated a net worth of $50m and is fourth in the list. Renowned for his speed and ring craft, Usyk has held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the unified heavyweight titles in 2021, and the Ring magazine title since 2022.
5. Deontay Wilder
Coming up in fifth place on the list is Alabama-born Deontay Wilder, 36, commanding a net worth of $30m. Wilder has fought against some of the biggest names in boxing, including Tyson Fury and Luis Ortiz. He has won 42 of his 45 fights, with 41 of those wins coming by knockout.
Wilder is known for his powerful right hand which has earned the former WBC heavyweight champion a reputation as a knockout specialist.
6. Gennady Golovkin
Golovkin from Kazakhstan in sixth place with a net worth of $30m, Sonny Bill Williams in seventh with a net worth of $25m, and former world champion Andy Ruiz Jr. in 8th place worth $10m.
7. Sonny Williams
Williams is in seventh with a net worth of $25m.
8. Andy Ruiz Jr.
Former world champion Ruiz is in 8th place and is worth $10m. Ruiz famously shocked Joshua in 2019 by stripping him of the world titles with a technical knockout at the Madison Square Garden.
9. Sergio Martinez
Argentine pugilist Martinez, aged 48 and the oldest on the list, holds a net worth of $10m in joint eighth position with Ruiz. Martinez has held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the unified middleweight titles from 2010 to 2014.
10. Ryan Garcia
25-year-old Garcia is the youngest boxer on this list and worth $10m. Garcia has fought against some of the biggest names in boxing, including Luke Campbell and Francisco Fonseca. He has won 22 of his 23 professional fights, with 18 of those wins coming by knockout.
Sports
FIFA ranks Super Eagles third in Africa, 26th globally
Globally, France has reclaimed the number one spot after wins over Colombia and Brazil, overtaking Spain, which was held to a goalless draw by a ten-man Egypt. Argentina, England, Portugal, and Brazil round out the top six.
The world’s football body , FIFA, has ranked Nigeria’s Super Eagles third in Africa (behind Morocco and Senegal), and 26th globally.
In a post on FIFA’s website on Wednesday, the ranking reflects Nigeria’s strong performances in friendlies, including a 2‑1 win over Iran and a 2‑2 draw with Jordan, as well as their showing at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
In the 2025 AFCON tournament, Nigeria won five matches against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique, and Algeria, drew with Morocco in the semi-finals, and defeated Egypt in the third-place playoff.
Other nations saw minor adjustments in the rankings.
Iran slipped from 20th to 21st following consecutive defeats, while Jordan moved up to 63rd after draws with Nigeria and Costa Rica.
Globally, France has reclaimed the number one spot after wins over Colombia and Brazil, overtaking Spain, which was held to a goalless draw by a ten-man Egypt. Argentina, England, Portugal, and Brazil round out the top six.
Sports
FirstBank Sponsors Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Football Championship 2026
The tournament will engage secondary schools from all 36 states and the FCT, in a two-stage competition.
FirstBank, through its First@Sports initiative, is sponsoring the maiden edition of the Samuel Okwaraji Under 16 Football Championship.
The competition is a nationwide youth football tournament organised to honour the late Samuel Okwaraji, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated football legends renowned for his patriotism, discipline, and commitment to national service.
The tournament will engage secondary schools from all 36 states and the FCT, in a two-stage competition.
The first stage will feature zonal eliminations across the six geopolitical zones, followed by a national final in Abuja featuring the top 12 qualifying teams.
In a statement , the Managing Director/ CEO of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, said: “Football is the strongest unifier of Nigerians. It brings communities together, inspires discipline, and nurtures talents across the country.
FirstBank is making a deliberate incursion into grassroots football development with this sponsorship, creating an enabling environment for the next generation of Samuel Okwarajis to discover, refine, and maximise their potential, thereby shaping the future of Nigerian football.”
In his remarks, Senator Osita Izunaso, the Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee commended FirstBank for throwing its weight around the championship.
Sports
Sportsville Awards: Olopade Leads NSC Delegation to Honour Dikko with Transformative Impact Award
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, on Tuesday led a high-powered delegation from the Commission to the prestigious Sportsville Awards in Lagos to honour NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko.
Dikko is set to receive the Transformative Impact Award at the 2026 edition of the Sportsville Special Recognition Awards, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to repositioning Nigerian sports.
The NSC delegation’s presence underscored the Commission’s unity and support for its Chairman, who has been widely praised for driving reforms, fostering inclusivity, and delivering renewed optimism in Nigerian sports administration alongside Olopade.
Former NPFL scribe Salihu Abubakar and other stakeholders have already extended congratulations to Dikko, describing the nomination as well-deserved.
Stakeholders, including Dr. Danladi Bako, have lauded Sportsville as one of the most authentic sports awards in the country, commending the organisers for recognising genuine impact in the sector.
The sixth edition of the Sportsville Awards, which also featured former Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, as a top guest, celebrates excellence and transformative contributions across Nigeria’s sporting ecosystem.
Other nominees include Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo and several prominent figures in sports development.
Hon. Olopade, who himself was recently crowned Sports Administrator of the Year at the New Telegraph Awards, dedicated previous honours to President Bola Tinubu and Chairman Dikko, highlighting the collaborative leadership driving Nigeria’s sports renaissance.
Mallam Shehu Dikko’s leadership at the NSC has been credited with major gains in infrastructure, athlete welfare, and international competitiveness, marking a turning point for Nigerian sports.
The event is expected to draw key stakeholders from the sports industry, government, and private sector as it honours individuals making lasting contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria.
Full coverage and reactions from the awards ceremony are anticipated as the night unfolds in Lagos.
-
Business3 days ago33 Nigerian Banks Beat CBN’s Recapialisation with ₦4.65trn Combined Capital Base
-
Sports3 days agoFirstBank Sponsors Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Football Championship 2026
-
Politics3 days agoBREAKING: INEC Withdraws Recognition of David Mark’s ADC
-
News3 days agoJUST IN: Tinubu Heads to Jos Tomorrow, Postpones Ogun Trip for 5-State Visits
-
News3 days agoEaster: FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays
-
Entertainment3 days agoSuper Eagles Iwobi to launch music album ‘More To Life’
-
Politics3 days agoArise News Anchor Ikokwu in Political Race for Reps Seat
-
News3 days agoGas Leak in Ogun School: 30 Students, Teacher Hospitalised
