Knockout Predicted: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou Preview
Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) and Francis Ngannou (0-1 in boxing, 17-3 in MMA) will collide in yet another fight pitting a boxer against a mixed martial artist.
The two fighters clash at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This bout will headline “Knockout Chaos.” The March 8 card is part of Riyadh Season, a state-funded entertainment and sports festival. Fight fans can catch the action live on DAZN PPV globally and Sky Sports PPV in the UK.
Joshua is a two-time heavyweight champion who has won three fights since losing a rematch to Oleksandr Usyk. Though Ngannou made a name for himself as a former UFC heavyweight titlist, he surprised many on his boxing debut in a split decision loss to Tyson Fury (whom he even knocked down at one point). On Wednesday, both fighters delivered statements at a final press conference.
Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou Headline “Knockout Chaos”
Anthony Joshua
“I had about ten days off, [then] get straight back to basics,” said Joshua. “Get back on the grind. God is good, we’re happy.”
“All will be revealed, straight out war, relentlessness, a good fight. That’s what everyone is here for, a good fight…”
“We are not looking past this fight, this is my main focus. The incentives and all that stuff, it is just a win. I’ve got to focus on my game plan and what I’ve got to do.”
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“His first dream was to be a boxer, which people forget…He had been doing it from a young age, his dream was to always be a boxer. So I know what I am up against. I look at all these small details. But, I spar, I do my film study and keep it professional, but what happens on the night is different. All that textbook stuff goes out of the window and you’ve just got to be relentless. It is already written in the stars what is going to happen, I am just going to follow my destiny.”
“It is our duty to do what we’ve got to do. We work for these people out here. These are the fights that they want to see…”
“The best man will always win, it’s not rocket science. The best man will always win. One of the main things I am looking forward to is showing how good I am.”
“Friday will soon come. Friday will soon go and I am looking forward to the occasion.”
Francis Ngannou
“I really think I haven’t shocked the world,” said Ngannou about his time in boxing. “I am still in the factory, building, training, learning and I think when I really gonna get it, I think that’s when the world gonna be shocked. I am just working, building and learning about the sport. The sport that I have loved my entire life. I didn’t have the opportunity to really do it. I get some experience. It’s just now that I’m really having that work, that experience. I’m going to put something really, really nice. I trust the process, I trust my team, the work that we are putting in. It’s going to pay off.”
“Everything is a clue. Every space that I have an opening, I gonna hit…I am not going to let any stone unturned and any opportunity unexplored.”
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“It was a flawless performance. It was a great performance [Joshua’s stoppage of Otto Wallin]. I watched that fight closely. For me that doesn’t do anything because I know I am no Wallin. I know is gonna be a different round, is gonna be a different opponent and a different feeling.”
“I struggle to do ten rounds and, if anyone doesn’t struggle to do 10 rounds, then you are something else…Everybody gets tired after 10 rounds. I have no problem with it because it is a learning process and I am here to learn…”
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“It will be the best [accomplishment] so far, but as I said, I am only just getting started. I am really looking to get the victory on Friday night but I don’t think this will be making any statement on my career because the road is still long…”
“The reason why I am here is because I always believe in myself…I believe in my determination, in my dedication. I believe in the work that I put in in order to have what I want…”
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou: Big Fight Weekend Prediction
Put simply, Joshua should be winning this. AJ has far more experience in the boxing ring than Ngannou does. Assuming he has been taking training camp seriously and does not get complacent on fight night there is no reason that Joshua should be losing this. Although Ngannou has accomplished a lot in MMA and did much better than expected against Fury, but this should be the bout that makes the gulf in experience very obvious. Expect the Brit to win this by knockout before round eight.
Full Press Conference
For the full press conference featuring Joshua, Ngannou and other fighters part of “Knockout Chaos,” click here or the video below. Video courtesy of DAZN Boxing.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
