After starring in mixed martial arts, Francis Ngannou is looking to make a statement inside the boxing ring against Anthony Joshua
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou is entering his second pro boxing bout, against the former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua, and he’s brewing with confidence. The Cameroonian-born combatant is coming off an impressive showing against Tyson Fury as he prepares to take on Joshua on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
From The Octagon To The Squared Circle
Some doubted if Francis Ngannou could make a smooth transition from fingerless gloves to mitts, but he’s already showing that he’s not just a novelty act.
Quite the contrary, as he went the distance against Fury – the current WBC World Heavyweight Champion – and even knocked him down in the third round of their bout. Ngannou entered the fight as a 14-1 underdog but managed to hang on in a split-decision loss.
Now? Francis Ngannou says the same stiff shot that he floored Fury with would clean Anthony Joshua’s clock. He’s predicting that he will win their battle by knockout.
An Ngannou Knockout?
“The day is set. It’s two months from now, and if any of them think they are going to have easy money, too bad for them,” Ngannou recently told MMA Fighting.
“If AJ takes the punch that Fury took, I don’t guarantee that he’s getting back up. I have heard that he doesn’t have a chin. I’m going to find out.”
While Ngannou’s only experience is his close loss to Fury, Anthony Joshua enters the fight with a career record of 27-3, with 24 KOs. The 34-year-old British star is coming off three straight wins, most recently taking down Otto Wallin by TKO in five rounds on Dec. 23.
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