Are UFC Champion Israel Adesanya and Boxing Superstar Anthony Joshua Friends After Recent O2 Arena Appearance?
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Are UFC Champion Israel Adesanya and Boxing Superstar Anthony Joshua Friends After Recent O2 Arena Appearance?
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 27: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria celebrates after defeating Paulo Costa of Brazil in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 27: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria celebrates after defeating Paulo Costa of Brazil in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
When two accomplished athletes of their respective sports meet one another, it sure does make the headlines or the news in some form or the other. We didn’t expect the latest power duo, Israel Adesanya and Anthony Joshua.
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Israel Adesanya and Anthony Joshua recently appeared in a walkout for a fellow Nigerian fighter, Lawrence Okolie. This had fans speculating whether Adesanya and Joshua were more than just mere acquaintances.
The first appearance of them together, albeit not from the same place, happened on the popular YouTube channel ‘First We Feast.’ This collaboration sat well with fans, with fantastic reviews of them being a highly entertaining duo hitting the comment sections.
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Israel Adesanya and Anthony Joshua – Acquaintances or home friends?
Their appearance together on the ‘Hot ones’ video was well received by audiences and led them to speculate if they were friends. People are even more convinced of their friendship after walking out a fellow Nigerian fighter, Lawrence Okolie, for his cruiserweight bout.
The two kings of UFC and boxing were in the O2 arena, walking side by side, leading Okolie to his would-be second title defense.
Nigerian heritage
Fans could tell that the two had great comedic timing and a penchant for entertainment right off the bat. They share a Nigerian heritage, an aspect of great pride for black fighters in combat sports.
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 13: (L-R) UFC President Dana White places the interim middleweight championship belt on Israel Adesanya after defeating Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision in their interim middleweight championship bout during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
After all, Israel Adesanya is the current middleweight champion of the UFC, hailing of Nigerian descent. Therefore, being a champion with an entire country on your back can be a matter of great pride.
This shared representation of Nigeria could be a key factor on the grounds of relatability between the two fighters.
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Real recognize real
It is ubiquitous for two athletes from the top of their respective sports to show respect to one another. Israel Adesanya is the world middleweight champion of the UFC. On the other hand, Anthony Joshua is a two-time, unified world heavyweight boxing champion.
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DIRIYAH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 07: Anthony Joshua poses for a photo with the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title belts after the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title Fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua during the Matchroom Boxing ‘Clash on the Dunes’ show at the Diriyah Season on December 07, 2019 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Therefore, it is safe to say Adesanya and Joshua seem to have become friends. They’ve evolved from mere acquaintances with respect for each other’s sport and appeal.
