The President of Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has endorsed plans by a firm, Peel Aston Global to sponsor the visit of the boxing champion, Anthony Joshua to Nigeria.

The PAG Director, Khomeini Bukhari, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the NBB of C president had thrown his weight behind arrangements to bring to Nigeria the world champion as soon as he was free to visit his native country.

“Dr. Ladipo during a meeting with Bukhari commended Joshua for winning the sports prize at the Future Awards, 2017; He also expressed delight over the plan to bring the boxing champion to Nigeria to encourage the development of boxing among the youths,” it stated.

Bukhari congratulated Joshua over the award which he received on the pugilist’s behalf, noting that he would be humbled to receive it.

He said, “We have reached out to Anthony Joshua’s team and are awaiting his available dates. The plan to bring  Anthony Joshua over was to honour him, inspire the youths as well as to promote boxing in Nigeria.”

Bukhari disclosed that his firm recently sponsored the Nigerian delegation to watch the fight between Joshua and Carlos Takam in Cardiff.

Those on the delegation, he said included Deputy Governor of Ogun state and Minister of Youth and Sports as well as other boxing enthusiasts who were interested in the development of boxing at the grass-roots’ level in the country.