Nigeria Update

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has ruled out a fight with Anthony Joshua for now, sending support to his fellow Briton following the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of two members of. Joshua was involved in a serious road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on December 29 when his vehicle struck a stationary truck. His friends, personal trainer Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami, were both killed in the collision. Joshua sustained minor injuries and was discharged from the hospital two days later. The case against his driver, Adeniyi Kayode, has since been adjourned to March 13 at a magistrate’s court in Sagamu, Ogun State. Fury, who is set to return to the ring against rising contender Arslanbek Makhmudov in a bout scheduled to stream on Netflix, made clear that a clash with Joshua would not be happening while the 36-year-old continues to recover from the trauma. "I’m not interested in going toe-to-toe with somebody who’s in a bad place at the moment. I’ve been in a bad place many, many times. I wish them boys all the best," Fury said via The Ring Magazine. The two British heavyweights have repeatedly been linked over the years without ever meeting in the ring. Talks advanced in 2020 following Joshua’s victory over Kubrat Pulev but stalled over financial terms. A two-fight deal in 2021 collapsed when a United States arbitration panel ordered Fury to complete a trilogy with Deontay Wilder, and subsequent negotiations fell apart due to contract disputes and Fury’s pattern of retirement announcements. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed the former champion is targeting a return to the ring in July, with Joshua publicly vowing to honour his late friends through his continued career.