The Cameroonian fighter, Francis Ngannou, has already initiated major maneuvers for his upcoming bout against Anthony Joshua, the double champion in the heavyweight division. In an interview with Ariel Helwani, the Predator announces a more offensive fight than the one against Tyson Fury.
Much more confident after his first English boxing match against the undefeated champion in his category, Tyson Fury, the African Athlete of the Year 2023 is gearing up for an even more intense second appearance. A few weeks after the Battle of The Baddest in Saudi Arabia, Francis Ngannou has already secured a lucrative new contract, and it will be against Anthony Joshua (30 fights, 27 victories including 24 KOs and 3 defeats). Officialized last weekend, the scheduled duel on March 8th, still in Saudi Arabia, promises to be electric.
Ngannou’s straightforward interview
Despite the predictions of bookmakers still labeling him as a slight outsider, the former UFC champion no longer hides. After his impressive performance on October 28th, Ngannou no longer sees himself losing to Anthony Joshua. In Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour, which exclusively announced the March fight, the PFL star did not mince his words. Before warning his opponent about the chin he wants to test, Francis Ngannou revealed how he secured this big fight that will bring him significantly more money.
“I watched Wilder’s fight, then Joshua’s, and I thought there was an opportunity to seize. So, I started with a tweet, and then I received a call. [Laughs],” he first mentioned before discussing AJ’s performance against the Swede Otto Wallin on December 23rd. “He looked amazing. He was incredible. Respect to him, congratulations to him. He did his job correctly, his speed, everything. He was sharp, very sharp. But on the other hand, I think there was no response in front of him,” says Francis Ngannou.
“I’ll throw some bombs at him“
As for himself, the native of Batié simply aims to claim victory on March 8th. Ngannou sees himself clearly better than the recent opponent of the former WBA, WBO, and IBF champion. “I think I’ll have a better response in front of him that will put him in a less comfortable position. Things will change. It will be different. I won’t just stand there watching him. It will be different. I’ll throw some bombs at him to see how he handles it. I think he’ll pay attention to what he’s doing.”
Pressed on Eddie Hearn’s earlier intervention, Anthony Joshua’s promoter, who thinks it would be “an easy job” and “easy money” for his fighter, Francis Ngannou went straight to the point. “Eddie is a promoter. That’s his routine. He always says the same thing, he’s not talking about Francis Ngannou but someone else. That’s what he does. The date is set. It’s in two months, and if any of them think they’re going to have easy money, it’s a shame for them. If AJ receives the same blow as Fury, I don’t guarantee he’ll get up. I heard he doesn’t have a chin. I’ll find out. [Laughs],” warns the WBC heavyweight’s number 10.
A second round for Ngannou – Joshua in Africa?
In the end, Ngannou expresses his respect for Anthony Joshua despite the latter’s recent disparaging remarks. Far from being resentful, the Predator announces that his fight against the Briton is not malicious, and it’s just a simple challenge they will try to overcome. In conclusion, he entertains the idea of a mentioned rematch against Joshua in Africa, regardless of the outcome of the March fight.
“Eddie Hearn said a lot of things, but there’s one thing he said that makes sense, that there could be a rematch in Africa with Joshua. I think it’s a good idea. We’ll call it Black Excellence.”
Do you think Francis Ngannou can knock out Anthony Joshua? What is your prediction for this big clash?
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