Anthony Joshua is predicting “straight out war” when he rumbles with the fearsome Francis Ngannou in Riyadh on Friday night.
A few months ago even AJ was describing a potential Joshua vs Ngannou boxing fight as “a gimmick”, but not any more. Not after Ngannou took heavyweight champion Tyson Fury right to the brink on his professional boxing debut.
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That astonishing performance from Ngannou shocked most boxing pundits, and it has Joshua on red alert ahead of a fight that will likely define the remainder of his own career. Win and he is perfectly placed to fight the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk. Lose, and the future is very uncertain.
Joshua (now 27-3) fought three times in 2023, improving each time. His last performance – a brutal beatdown of Otto Wallin in December – was his best. It was also the first fight under the tutelage of new trainer Ben Davison (a former Fury mentor). Right now AJ is a very confident man.
Joshua in the zone for Ngannou rumble
He said: “I had about 10 days off then got back to the grind. God is good and we are happy. All will be revealed, straight out war, relentlessness, a good fight, That is what everyone is here for, a good fight.”
AJ knows the carrot in front of him should he dispose of Ngannou on Friday night (live on DAZN PPV and Sky Sports Box Office). But he stresses he is absolutely not looking past the next 48 hours.
READ MORE: Latest heavyweight rankings ahead of Joshua vs Ngannou BLOCKBUSTER in Riyadh
“We are not looking past this fight, the incentives and all that stuff, it is just about a win. I’ve got to focus on my game plan and what I’ve got to do. His first dream was to be a boxer, which people forget. He had been doing it from a young age so I know what I am up against because I look at all these small details.
“I spar, I do my film study and keep it professional, but what happens on the night is different and 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.”
AJ on fighting and philosophy
Joshua, as ever, is philosophical about what will happen on Friday night – he believes it is already destined. He is though certain it will be a blockbuster.
“It is our duty to do what we’ve got to do for these people out here to give them the fights they want to see. It is our duty to entertain them. This is the life and it is what I signed up to do.
“The best man will always win, it is not rocket science and 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.”
