We are seven days out from Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou, and the stakes could not be higher for the two-time heavyweight champion of the world.
Joshua (27-3) has scaled the mountain more than once, but his hopes of completing the Trifecta hang on a blockbuster showdown with the former UFC heavyweight champion. A showdown which is laced with boxing jeopardy.
This is high stakes poker for AJ – remember a few months ago he labelled a potential Ngannou match as “a gimmick”. Not now though after ‘The Predator’ took Tyson Fury right to the wire on his pro boxing debut.
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Last October Ngannou had ‘The Gypsy King’ on the floor in the early rounds and bossed large periods of the fight before losing a controversial split decision. The prophets of doom who said he was a no hoper beforehand – Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn included – are not saying that any more.
Next Friday in Riyadh Joshua puts everything on the line when he faces Ngannou – knowing that a win would put him in a position to fight the winner of Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. A defeat of course would leave those dreams in tatters.
Joshua on Ngannou danger
AJ has been speaking about the bout, and what it means to him. To say he is acutely aware of the danger that awaits him in Riyadh (live on DAZN PPV and Sky Sports Box Office) would be an understatement.
Speaking on Friday, he said: “Fully locked in on March 8th, that’s just my main focus. And that’s all I’m gonna say because you’ve got to look at it from my point of view.
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“You know what the future is? It’s tomorrow in the gym. That’s as far as I’m looking. And if you want me to look into the far future, it’s March 8th. And that’s as far. That’s my life at the minute.
“If you knew when you were going to be born, when you were a little sperm, or when you’re going to die, my birthday or my death is on March 8th. That’s my everything. My beginning and end. The Alpha and Omega, the Yin and the Yang.
