Did Tinubu really accept a boxing challenge?

When I first saw pictures of President Bola Tinubu receiving a golden glove from the world-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua, part of me thought the President had agreed to fight him in the ring.

Joshua visited Tinubu at his Ikoyi home in Lagos to mark the holidays. The New Year’s Day photo op was all smiles, featuring the heartfelt presentation of a golden glove autographed by the heavyweight superstar.

However, I’m not alone in passively thinking that the President unwittingly signed up for a boxing match next month. One ancient—and entirely fictional—tradition claims that accepting a gift glove from a boxer is tantamount to consenting to a championship fight.

Later that day, Tinubu shared his excitement about Joshua’s visit on his official X page. He posted:

“I just had the honour of hosting our very own Anthony Joshua, a true champion and worthy ambassador of Nigeria. Anthony Joshua’s dedication and achievements continue to inspire millions daily. Thank you for the autographed glove—it is a symbol of perseverance and excellence. A symbol of what Nigerians are known for. We are Nigeria. Proudly Nigerian.”

A statement like “Thank you for the glove” might as well mean, “Challenge accepted! See you in the ring.” But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—at least not more than we already have. The only boxing challenge he needs now is against what he called “the enslavers” who want Nigeria subdued. For all we know, that’s enough of a fight to keep a man on his toes—because enslavers don’t play fair.

I’m also not alone in wondering what the New Year’s visit means for AJ’s career. Some Nigerians have superstitiously linked his relationship with Tinubu’s predecessor to the reason he lost his championship title to Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk in 2021.

Let’s take a look back. It was January 2020, and President Muhammadu Buhari was in London for the first UK-Africa Investment Summit. On the sidelines, he received AJ, who prostrated before him in a traditional show of respect for elders. AJ posed with Buhari alongside his IBF, WBO, and WBA heavyweight titles. He lost all three to Usyk in September of the following year.

Many Twitter (now X) activists accused Buhari of ruining AJ’s career. One wrote:

“Now Anthony Joshua lost his heavyweight title to Oleksandr Usyk. Where were the village people who introduced him to the presidency in London? Have you seen it? It is all your fault, we warned you.”

Another fan commented:

“Before he shook hands with Buhari, he was undefeated; since he met Buhari and his presidency, he’s lost two fights. Watch where you go; watch those you mingle with.”

Anyone who watched the fight could tell several factors that led to the defeat. Some analysts blamed AJ’s long-term trainer, Robert McCracken. Others pointed to what they called ‘Champion’s Conceit.’ Conspiracy theories aside, AJ went on to win several matches that same year—including bouts against Jermaine Franklin and Kubrat Pulev—for which Buhari even congratulated him.

However, the Buhari phenomenon stuck like stubborn mud on a shoe sole. Some even claimed the Super Eagles maintained a winning streak in the 2022 African Cup of Nations until Buhari’s video conference call. No matter how you slice it, there are a million ways to connect such defeats to him—especially where there’s a will to do so.

Unlike Buhari, however, Tinubu has been quite fortunate in the sports arena. So far, Nigerians have not been keen on pinning notable defeats to his name, except for the disappointing outing at the Paris Olympics. Even when Nigeria came second in the last AFCON tournament, the players each received a residential flat and a plot of land. With only 19 months into Tinubu’s presidency, it is too early to say how long that luck might hold. Let time and outcomes do the talking.

After meeting the President, AJ revealed his goals for 2025, with his primary target being a high-profile fight against fellow British boxer Tyson Fury and aiming to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.

“Time is of the essence; time is limited. So, I just want to put in more work. In 2024, when I look back, I believe I could have done more, and I have another chance in 2025 to do more. I’m going to make sure that I take every opportunity that comes my way,” Joshua told journalists.

As the boxer handed the gift to the President, I noticed his signature on the glove was dated December 25. Perhaps he had planned to present it on Boxing Day—pun intended! This suggests the gift had been prepared and possibly delivered to security aides a week earlier. The discrepancy speaks more to the careful security protocols involved when presenting gifts to a head of state or government.

In Nigeria—as in many countries—any gift intended for the president undergoes a thorough inspection before it ever reaches his hands. In 2018, for instance, the United States Secret Service intercepted objects believed to be explosives mailed to top Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Being out of the office doesn’t mean being out of target.

Some insiders even joke that gift-wrapping paper is tested for chemical anomalies. Gifts involving perishable items like food, drinks, or substances applied to the skin never get to the president. One never knows if a Trojan horse might be in the mix—better safe than sorry. So, the early autograph date on Joshua’s glove suggests the President’s Personal Protection Detail conducted its due diligence.