JUST IN: Don’t fight Wilder, Nigerians beg Joshua

Boxing enthusiasts have warned British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, not to fight Deontay Wilder, following the American’s renewed interest in fighting him.

This comes after Wilder’s spectacular triumphant return, knocking out Finland’s Robert Helenius in the first round of their fight on Saturday night.

It was the first fight for Wilder in over a year, since he suffered his second straight knockout loss to Tyson Fury.

After the fight, the ‘Bronze Bomber’ told Fox Sports he’d be interested in fighting anyone from unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to Anthony Joshua.

His comments drew wide reactions from Nigerians on social media.

A Lagos based OAP, Buchi Laba, via @Buchi_Laba, tweeted, “Stay retired Joshua. Tyson Fury or Wilder just want to use you as training bag. They’re levels ahead.”

France-based Nigerian journalist, Babatunde Ojora, via his Twitter handle @Ojbsports, added, “Back with a bang. Deontay Wilder KOs Robert Helenius with a massive right hand in round one.”

Under the tweet of one of Nigeria’s social media influencing account, @Naija_PR, the replies were comically suggestive of charms in the fight among other trolls of whoever would fight Wilder at the moment.

@Ayomiplenti said in pidgin English, “How you go see this kind person enter ring wit am” – meaning “how would you enter the ring to fight this kind of person man?”

@Macdera2 added, “Joshua abeg ooo,” suggesting that Joshua should not fight Wilder.

Meanwhile, while some were singing Wilder’s praises, others also reminded the American of the unbeaten Tyson Fury.

@the_lawrenz subtly tweeted, “Deontay Wilder beat this guy like this because him think say na Fury.”

@henry_wired even mentioned Tyson_Fury and said, “@Tyson Fury is coming for you”, while @b_soye tweeted “best in knocking out nobodies.”