Nigerian-born former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua has turned down a lucrative offer that would have seen him switch allegiance to the owner of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Sports247 gathered that the offer was handed Joshua by UFC president and CEO, Dana White, who reckoned that the London 2012 Olympic Games gold medalist needed another platform to relaunch his career in the roped square.
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However, rather than jump at the opportunity of making some cool cash under a new manager, turned down the offer that White extended to him.
This was disclosed by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who said he was very happy that his client opted to stay put under his banner, with which he is billed to stage a return this summer.
Hearn revealed that Joshua was sensationally approached by White to join his Zuffa outfit in order to help the former two-time heavyweight champ recover from the accident he survived on December 29th near Sagamu, Ogun State.
‘AJ’ has been battling a psychological recovery since, as the accident took two of his best friend’s lives, but he is now set to step back into the roped square this summer for a warm-up fight against Deontay Wilder, before facing Tyson Fury.
While Joshua continues recuperating, White allegedly approached him with an offer of joining his boxing stable, which he set up last year, and made a hit by snatching Conor Benn away from Hearn on a single-fight deal.
Hearn has now come out to praise his ward for snubbing White’s offer and the Matchroom president recalled on ‘Cigar Talk’ podcast that Joshua’s loyalty has been tested on several occasions with lucrative proposals, but he hasn’t wavered.
“He’s been offered deals along the way when our contract had come to an end that were much better short-term money options for him. I’ve got so much respect for him. There are a few fighters, probably a handful, that I feel the same way about.
“There aren’t a lot of people like that, especially in boxing. So, I will always be indebted to him. Not just as a company because he’s helped us, and he’s now a shareholder in my business, but because of what he’s done for me,” Hearn said.
