Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou faced off at the kickoff press conference in London to announce their upcoming fight in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 8.
Anthony Joshua: “I will be ready to go once the first bell rings. I will approach this mission with laser focus until the job is complete. I am looking forward to returning to Riyadh and I would like to thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the passion they have shown to myself and the sport of boxing.”
Francis Ngannou: “People have always doubted me and I always proved them wrong. It is clear I am a trouble for elite boxers and AJ should prepare himself for a battle because I am like nothing he has ever faced. It is going to be another spectacle for boxing fans in Riyadh, only this time I have no intention of leaving it in the hands of the judges.”
Joshua unlike Fury, will train for this fight and Ngannou is going to be in for a rude awakening when he feels those punches. Joshua by KO but nice to see Ngannou get a payday.
You say this as if Ngannous can’t punch. He just put down the HW champ of the world. The last time he was underestimated the world was in for a “rude awakening”, especially Fury. If he didn’t train that’s his problem.
Where in the comment does it even imply Ngannou cannot punch?
If you can’t read my comment it and put it together that’s a you problem.
I agree
Absolutely agree jj….Ngannou better do his homework….this is a dangerous fight….Fury fight felt gimmicky ….Fury preparation and focus wasn’t there ….and Fury still won…this is a dangerous fight…right move for Joshua though…money maker and can being some “perception of credibility” but if you a student of the game Joshua should dominate Ngannou…People don’t understand..when you have all the fights in amateurs and pros on the highest level …you develop a skill set that is unmistakably strong … something that can’t be learned overnight…like a boxer fighting in a mix martial arts with an experienced young grappler champion… boxer has with one year grappler training..if we understand the disadvantages here…you know what Ngannou facing..Kudos to Ngannou for having the nuts and guts to do it…
I can’t wait for this one. The winner may be next in line for a title shot. AJ knows he needs to win impressively to stay in HW title contentions as it appears he’s having a resurgence. A loss or bad performance can ruin those plans. Boxers often say MMA fighters are awkward to box because they’re not classically trained. Francis went 12 rounds with the HW champ of the world and put him down so his confidence is up. Francis against all odds has a dreaming of becoming HW champ of the world. I believe the winner of this may get a title shot at Usky/ Fury winner. It doesn’t matter what fans “feel” is right or who is deserving because money talks. Fury, Usyk, AJ, and Francis will make the richest fights in the HW division.
Easy fight for Joshua
Joshua lapping up Furys sloppy seconds, all pressure is on him. Hopefully he is chin checked, Fury does get knocked down but he gets up will AJ
Another event to watch on my Amazon Fire Stick……
Great match and looks like the undercard is looking good also with the adding of Parker Vs Zhang.
@Arturo, Parker vs Zhang. Will Zhang be to much, like Joyce was and bully Parker? Or will Parker move more against Zhang? Not sure who I pick to win.
Fury vs Ngannou, Floyd Mayweather against McGregor or this Japanese schoolboy or this YouTuber, now AJ against Ngannou, I totally confused to contribute, pay or watch these circus fights in any ways.
Don’t forget Floyd “money” Mayweather vs Manny “money” Pacquiao who are setting up another bank robbery. If you decide not to contribute it really wouldn’t matter in the scheme of things because so many others will continue to watch. I would put on AJ vs Ngannou because it generates money. If you were a business man, you would too.
That fight not happening…no one interested…Paq still marketable if he takes on a young champion…lots of upside there…for significance and money…maybe winner of Garcia vs Romero fight….maybe Shakur…these are great fights cause Paq will test you…and can surprise you….somewhat like a old Larry Holmes schooling a young champion in Ray Mercer..(Guys ..google that fight… Larry schooling Mercer…while looking back and talking to the camera “I ain’t Tommy Morrison” some funny ish)…
Imagine if more top American African NFL players chose boxing instead of football. If Ngaunno grew up in Alabama, Georgia, or Florida, he would be in the NFL right now.
Imagine if more people from the Scanidinavian and Slavic world were into boxing like black Americans. The Slavic countries are the biggest people in the world.
Imagine if more people from the Scandinavian and Slavic world were into boxing like black Americans. The Slavic countries are the biggest people in the world.
Size means nothing if you can`t fight, and most Swedes can`t fight.
Size means nothing if you can`t fight, and most Swedes can`t fight.
The world we live in Thomas, has become a circus. At least, your getting two more world class fights to watch and the main event has a former world champ against a boxing novice, who demonstrated that he can fight a little, due to his striking background in MMA. The consumer determines the market, its your choice.
IF JOSHUA BOXES HE WINS ON POINTS -BUT HE WILL HAVE TO FOCUS BIGTIME ON FOOTWORK
What happened against Fury was a fluke. AJ will, as a result of what happened to Fury, will be focused and we’ll see what happens when a novice faces a professional. And don’t tell me Ngannou can punch. They can both punch but one is a professional with an amateur pedigree and the other is an MMA pro who has is not an experienced pro. Joshua will spark this guy but may take a few… credit to Nganou who is a legit badass.
There is always an excuse when British and Mexican fighters lose. Fury said before the match he trained longer for that fight than usual, 10 weeks he said, then suddenly they try saying that he didn`t train at all, yet he was only 4 pounds above what he weighed for the last wilder fight. Fury, who is a world champion, fought a guy in the guy`s first boxing match and that was ok. Now AJ who everybody and their dog in Britain and the US claims is useless and chinny, is fighting the same guy, and they criticize. Can you imagine the scorn AJ wold have to take, if he was fighting the likes of that unknown German or old washed up Chisoro for the third time. Outside of old Vladimir and Wilder, Fury is yet to fight a top fighter. Usyx would be his third top fighter after all these years, and i have a strong feeling he, Fury, will find an excuse to drop out of this fight. This guy gets away with so much crap, he elbowed Nganou openly, and no one talks about it.
Julian Reifer
Fury was fat, out of shape and in terrible fighting condition for Wilder3 and Ngannou.
With that said, he has no excuse for being so lazy.
And It will be interesting to see if he is capable of getting his level of play way up. Or he will lose to usyk and many others.
People,you are all forgetting that Ngannou is a very disciplined person and I would have no doubt he has been learning the art of boxing religiously since the Fury bout. And the thing is he isn’t afraid. I wouldn’t write him off and would say Joshua best be at the top of his game for this one. Just my opinion
Hasn’t had enough time or experience to learn the art of boxing.
good. its pretty soon. and, will be over pretty soon
This is going to pull in heavy numbers like a soccer game just on these two alone. Nigeria, England and Cameroon will be tuned in.