Gov. Dapo Abiodun has announced plans by the state government to construct a new boxing ring in honour of Anthony Joshua.

Mr Abiodun also announced that the two-time former world heavyweight boxing champion would be lighting the National Sports Festival torch in May 2025.

The governor made these known on Monday when he hosted Joshua in his office.

“I want to openly request that, besides the fact that today we are going to officially confirm you as our sports ambassador, we want to request that you come back to light up the Gateway Sports Festival torch; you will be the one lighting it up.

“We are going to construct a brand new Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring, and that boxing ring will be in a stadium here in Abeokuta.

“This is to ensure that you come home more frequently. Besides the fact that you are now our official sports ambassador, we have decided that we will give you a brand new house in Sagamu,” he said.

Mr Abiodun said the state was proud of the boxer’s achievements on the world stage, and would support his career in every way it could.

He urged him to find ways of supporting the state in the area of sports development by working alongside stakeholders in the state.

“We leave you to work with the National Sports Commission and the Commissioner for Sports Development on what we can do to ensure that we have activities leading to the sports festival in your boxing arena.

“In preparation for the sports festival, we are spending a lot of money; we are totally refurbishing, rehabilitating, and reconstructing our sporting facilities.

“As you know, sports is a universal language; it brings people from different parts of the world together,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Joshua noted that he would work toward promoting Ogun to the rest of the world by showcasing the numerous talents in the state.

(NAN)