The eyes of the entire combat sports world will be on Riyadh next week, when Anthony Joshua locks horns with Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou flipped the script in dramatic fashion against Tyson Fury last October, when he dropped ‘The Gypsy King’ and gave him all he could handle before being edged out in a contentious split decision defeat.
Now it’s the turn of Fury’s countryman Joshua to deal with the former UFC champion, who few expected to offer much as a professional boxer.
Eddie Hearn has been ‘AJ’s promoter for the entirety of his career to date, and has admitted he is beginning to feel nervous about the prospect of his charge stepping into the ring with Ngannou.
The Matchroom Boss explained on The MMA Hour that the bout was like “Godzilla vs King Kong.”
“Two giants will meet in the ring in Riyadh. It’s the first time AJ will be fighting someone who will outsize him.
“This is a real threat. And when those two come together, it’s Godzilla and King Kong.
“Anything could happen in this fight – you land one shot on the chin and it’s over.
FRANCIS NGANNOU DROPS TYSON FURY IN ROUND 3 🥊👑💪#FuryvsNgannou pic.twitter.com/0qat2mANWY
— MPR (@mprmotivation) October 28, 2023
“Whilst I’m confident AJ wins, maybe Ngannou is just one of those guys you hit on the chin and nothing really happens to them.
“It might have to be a systematic breakdown. But I’m nervous – very nervous.”
Hearn’s nerves notwithstanding, Joshua is regarded by most as a clear favourite going into the money-spinning clash at the Kingdom Arena next Friday night.
Turki Alalshikh has guaranteed the victor a shot at the undisputed heavyweight world championship, due to be contested on May 18th between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Ngannou has called for a rematch with Fury ever since their controversial first meeting, and will seemingly get his wish if he can make it past Joshua on March 8th.
