Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou is a superfight literally waiting to happen – and Eddie Hearn has provided a fascinating camp update ahead of the big blockbuster in Riyadh on Friday March 8.
Joshua (27-3) is right back to his best after three wins in 2023, culminating in that five-round beatdown of the dangerous Swede Otto Wallin on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Saudi Arabia in December.
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Now he faces the relative pro boxing novice that is Francis Ngannou – the former UFC heavyweight champion remember took a certain Tyson Fury right to the brink on debut last October. He had ‘The Gypsy King’ on the deck early before dropping a disputed split decision.
Joshua and Ben Davison camp latest
That drubbing of Wallin was the first time AJ had linked up with new trainer Ben Davison, and Hearn says their relationship bodes well for an exciting future.
He told Matchroom Boxing (watch the full interview at the bottom of this page) “It was actually the first time I’ve been down to Ben Davison’s gym – very impressed, very impressed with the setup. Ben and Lee Wylie do such a great job and he’s clicked so well with AJ. He’s just in a great place, you know he’s punching so hard.”
While some of the surprise element from Ngannou is now out of the bottle after his supershow vs Fury, Hearn still believes we do not know everything. And that there is risk involved for the two-time world heavyweight champion.
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“I guess the challenge with Ngannou is still a little bit of the unknown, you know. There was a lot of unknown going into the Fury fight. There’s less now, but you’ve got 10 rounds of footage to dissect and break down. I believe that he’ll do a job on Francis Ngannou, whilst also understanding the risk.
“A big man with incredible power and strength [Ngannou], but I believe AJ will make a statement in Riyadh on March 8.”
Joshua a ‘sponge of knowledge’
Hearn has spoken often of Joshua’s worth ethic and desire to improve. Something he says comes through every day – whether his man is training or not.
“I’ve seen AJ train for 11 years, I’ve seen him at every different camp. I’ve seen him in Sheffield, I’ve seen him in Essex, I’ve seen him in Dallas, I’ve seen him back in Essex. I’ve seen him everywhere and he’s just a fantastic sponge of knowledge. I don’t know of anyone who works harder, consistently – out of camp, in camp, on holiday.
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“Ben has to rein him back and I think coming off the Wallin performance he’s hungrier than ever to succeed. So he’s driven to perform on March 8 and it’s a really big night for him.”
Will size matter?
There is one other area where the Ngannou showdown is a step into the unknown for Joshua – size.
“It’s the first time AJ’s fought anyone bigger than him, in size, in mass,” explained Hearn.
“That’s always I guess daunting – probably not for AJ. Two guys that can turn your lights off like that. That’s what people want to see – it’s Knockout Chaos, in Riyadh.
“This fight can be over in a nanosecond, and hopefully it will be our way.”
