By Izuchukwu Okosi:
Former Nigeria boxing star, Obisia Nwakpa, has congratulated Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Joshua, on his ambassadorial appointment at Sky Sports News on Tuesday evening.
The London-based sports news channel announced the appointment of the London 2012 Olympian on their various platforms as he prepares for his April 29 World Unification bout against Wladimir Klitschko scheduled to hold at the Wembley Stadium.
Joshua whose middle name is Femi from the Yoruba ethnic group, tweeted about his new role and the impact it has on up-and-coming pugilists.
"Linked up with @SkyUK as an Ambassador. Working behind the scenes to inspire others, especially the next generation," he tweeted via his Twitter handle.
Although Joshua fights with the British flag, he is proud of his Nigerian heritage and that gladdens Nwakpa who represented Nigeria at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Nwakpa, affectionately called the 'Golden Gloves', spoke with Completesportsnigeria.com on Joshua's achievements.
"Anthony Joshua being honored by Sky Sports as an ambassador is massive. You've got to be proud of the young man," Nwakpa told Completesportsnigeria.com.
"I know he loves flaunting his Nigerian roots with the tattoo whenever he could. It makes me proud too.
"However, the government and boxing administrators have to sit up and revive boxing in Nigeria so that we can discover more of such talents at home."
Despite taking pride in Joshua's feats, Nwakpa who later coached young Nigerian boxers at the national level spared thoughts on the latter's representation of Britain and not Nigeria.
"Just like any professional, Joshua wants the best in his career and there is nothing to regret because he is now a Briton. The welfare of sports stars and the facilities at their disposal are top notch abroad. Who cares back home how you struggle to become what you are?," Nwakpa, who acts as a sports consultant concluded bitterly..
Joshua have been on tours recently as he trains for the April 29 fight with Klitschko. The British star recently raised money for cancer charity through auctions.
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