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I Miss the Days of Slicing People’s Faces Open, Says Anthony Joshua

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Anthony Joshua has said he wants to use his power and size advantage over Oleksandr Usyk when the pair meet in a rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in August.

Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs), 32, will be bidding to reclaim his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight title belts when he faces Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs), 35, on Aug. 20. Neither fighter has competed since Usyk’s unanimous decision victory over Joshua at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September.

Despite earning a comfortable victory, Usyk sustained a deep cut above his right eye late in that fight, which Joshua seemed to take pleasure inflicting.

“His [Usyk’s] hairstyle is different, and he’s got a slice scar on his eye,” Joshua said at a news conference on Wednesday.

“I was thinking back, I cut up a few people’s faces: Paul Butlin, Usyk, I split [Kubrat] Pulev’s lip.

“I just grazed [Andy] Ruiz, he doesn’t count because I mean properly smashing faces in. I like that stuff, I never had a style, I just adapted.

“One of my strengths was my power but I always wanted to go down that path of being a clean boxer, ‘hit and not get hit, especially if I want to have a long and successful career.

“You need to have a good defence but I moved away from the ferocious side of boxing where I knew I could hit and stun people. And I do miss the days of slicing people’s faces open and hurting them, for sure. So I am looking forward to getting back to that.”

The rematch in August will be Joshua’s 12th world title fight since first becoming heavyweight champion in 2016 with a win over Charles Martin. However, it will be his first without long-time trainer Robert McCracken, who Joshua split from following the defeat to Usyk in September.

McCracken oversaw Joshua’s training as an amateur and helped him to win Olympic gold in boxing at London 2012 before continuing to guide him when he entered the professional ranks shortly after. The Brit will instead be trained instead by Robert Garcia for the Usyk rematch.

“In terms of Rob not being in the camp, it’s cool. No problem,” Joshua said. “Boxing is boxing… a different environment was needed at that time so it’s cool, no problem. I knew what I wanted to do. I wasn’t forced, it was my own decision.”

Joshua said he believed he was beating Usyk during their first bout in September, which Usyk won unanimously on the judge’s scores.

“I swear I thought I was [winning the fight.] I thought I was looking like Muhammad Ali in there,” Joshua said.

“Throughout the fight, I thought I was winning but at that stage, I kind of knew it was close. I thought at that stage I was well in the fight because it didn’t seem like there was any real communication as to where I’m at. Like: ‘You’re losing this fight… you’re down by two rounds.’ I didn’t get that.

“I’m not blaming anyone by saying that but I didn’t get any impression that I was losing the fight. I thought we were well in it. That’s why when they announced the name I was kind of like: ‘Huh?’

“It was all just ‘that’s it, keep on going.’ So I was jabbing and jabbing. It was hard to accept afterwards. Now when I watch it back I think he won by three rounds, that’s probably from the 9th onwards.”

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Headlines

Kano hospital board restates commitment to quality healthcare services

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Health: Nigeria needs N1trn annually to cater for vulnerable citizens

The Kano State Hospital Management Board has restated commitment to quality healthcare service delivery in the state.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Mansur Nagoda stated this during the inauguration of the state-wide hospital inspection exercise, on Monday in Kano.

He said the board in collaboration with the ministry of health would inspect healthcare facilities in urban and rural areas of the state.

Nagoda said the exercise aimed at encouraging positive attitudinal change among medical workers, to ensure that interventions were properly utilised.

He said the exercise would also guard against alleged hoarding and diversion of medical commodities provided by the state government.

“We are also paying unscheduled visits to health facilities to mainly assess their sanitary conditions and see how the services are being rendered.

“The major issues we largely concentrate on will include checking of staff roster for all cadres to know professional relationships among staff to avoid unwanted rivalry,” he said.

Nagoda said the state government had rolled out free delivery kits; free accident and emergency items, free cleansing items for general sanitation of facilities and maintenance of proper hygienic condition, among workers.

The gesture, he said, would provide succour and improve the welfare of patients in the state.

Some of the facilities visited include Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital; Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Sir Muhammad Sanusi Specialist Hospital, Sheik Muhammad Jidda General Hospital, and Yadakunya General Hospital.

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Davido, Ayra Starr, fans celebrate Tems’ Grammy win

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Nigerian music superstars, Davido, Ayra Starr and fans of sensational singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, have celebrated her for winning the highly coveted Best African Music Performance award at the 2025 Grammys.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tems made history at the 67th Grammy awards on Sunday in Los Angeles by clinching the Best African Music Performance for her song “Love Me Jeje.”

Notably, Tems was the only African artiste with three nominations across the global music categories; as her debut album, “Born in the Wild” was up for Best Global Music Album and Best R&B song for “Burning”.

She emerged victorious in a fierce competition, beating out strong nominees in the Nigerian-dominated category, including Burna Boy, Davido and Asake.

Other Nigerian stars nominated for the Grammys included Yemi Alade, Rema and Jordan Adetunji.

Tems who dedicated the award to her mother, said: “Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team.”

The feat has since generated abuzz on Social media, with excited fans and supporters of the singer sending her congratulatory messages.

Davido and Ayra Starr were also among artistes who sent her felicitations on their X pages for the Grammy big win.

Davido wrote: “Congratulations to my one and only @chrisbrown! And to the Queen @temsbaby weare proud of you!”

Ayra Star wrote: “Temssbabyyyyyyy congratulations my love!!!!”

Some elated fans and supporter of the “Love me Jeje” crooner also celebrate her.

@ekemini_kent wrote: “Congratulations Queen”

@ehis_goldtime wrote: “The game is still on congratulations Tems baby”

@NuJhayhne wrote: “congratulations to the queen of afrobeats completely deserved”

@Ivensplaisir wrote: “Tems is on fire. Her talent speaks volumes. African music is truly reaching new heights.”

@izrel1800 wrote: “The world knows there’s crack in this jam Tems. Well deserved”

@Rhaenyra729 wrote: “Cheers to Tems achievement”

@jaay4real wrote: “well deserved grammy, congratulations temilade”

@osidagoat wrote: “THE GREATEST AFRICAN FEMALE ARTISTE”

NAN reports that the award marks Tems second Grammy win, and she now has more Grammy awards than any other Nigerian artiste.

In 2023, she won the Best Melodic Rap Performance for the song ‘Wait for U’ with American hip-hop stars Future and Drake.

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Economy

Benue at 49: Governor Alia’s Vision for Economic Prosperity and Infrastructure Growth

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Benue at 49: Governor Alia's Vision for Economic Prosperity and Infrastructure Growth

As Benue State celebrates its 49th anniversary, Governor Hyacinth Alia has emphasized his commitment to driving the state to unprecedented levels of economic prosperity and infrastructural development.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Makurdi, Alia outlined the significant reforms his administration has set in motion since he assumed office.

“Less than two years into our administration, we have achieved remarkable breakthroughs, unprecedented in the history of the state,” said Alia.

The governor highlighted key achievements, including the rollout of programs aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and agribusiness to ensure food security and improve livelihoods. “We have rehabilitated roads, opened new ones, constructed and fixed public facilities to make Benue more accessible, enhancing economic growth,” he stated.

Alia also underscored the administration’s focus on healthcare, pledging to advance healthcare facilities to ensure quality and accessible services for all citizens. “Our resolve is to take the state where every citizen experiences prosperity, security, and opportunity,” he added.

The governor stressed that achieving these goals requires the collective efforts of all Benue citizens. “This target cannot be achieved alone. It calls for the collaborative determination of all stakeholders, community leaders, traditional rulers, business owners, and our energetic youth. Together, the administration can build a future that mirrors our joint desires,” Alia urged.

As the state marks its 49th anniversary, the governor called on the people to remain steadfast in their commitment to promoting Benue’s growth. “I extend a hand of fellowship to all stakeholders to join hands with us in this noble endeavour,” he concluded.

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