Anthony Joshua insists he is not motivated by the prospect of outperforming Tyson Fury when he faces Francis Ngannou on March 8.
Joshua came face-to-face with Ngannou at a press conference in London on Monday to formally announce their clash in Saudi Arabia, which comes just under five months since the latter lost to Fury by a contentious split decision.
Fury, an overwhelming pre-fight favourite, was sent crashing to the canvas by the ex-UFC heavyweight champion and boxing debutant in the third round, before scraping past the Cameroonian for a win on the cards.
‘AJ’ maintained that his only focus is on beating the 37-year-old in Riyadh, but highlighted the fact that he has halted every common opponent with his British rival, including last time out when he forced Otto Wallin to retire after five rounds, whilst ’The Gypsy King’ settled for a points win in 2019.
When asked if he wanted to do a better job than Fury did against Ngannou, Joshua told The MMA Hour: “No not at all.
“Me and Fury are completely different.
“I’m just going to do exactly what I need to do and I’m just going to focus on myself.
“The minute I start focusing on what Fury done, I’ve already lost the fight, I’ve already put myself at a disadvantage.
“If I just focus on what I’m good at and do what I do, I’m putting myself at an advantage.
“So, I’m avoiding any Fury relations of what he done and so on and so forth.
“But, let me tell you this, every opponent that me and Fury have in common, I’ve either stopped or knocked out.”
Prior to Monday’s news conference, the Watford man was expected to face Filip Hrgovic for the IBF heavyweight world title, with the belt likely to become vacant after Fury meets Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown on February 17, also in Riyadh.
However, Turki Alalshikh, who has been ensuring that these mega cards are being staged in Saudi Arabia, announced his intentions to match-up the winner of Fury-Usyk against the victor of Joshua-Ngannou for the undisputed title.
Joshua though insists that he is treating Ngannou as his undisputed fight, rather than focusing on potential future showdowns.
“It was announced at the press conference today,” he added.
“But, nothing contractually, but it was announced at the press conference today.
“But, let me say this again, I’m not focusing on that.
“I have to draw it back that Ngannou is my undisputed title fight. That’s the mentality I have to have, because you’re only as good as your last fight and I respect him a lot.
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“He ain’t easy money. He’s a hard nights’ work.
“But, do you know what’s crazy, so am I.
“I’m a hard nights’ work for anyone, so let’s go, it’s gonna be fireworks.”
