Former two-time unified WBO, IBF, and WBA heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has vowed not to underestimate Cameroon-born Francis Ngannou in their encounter in a 10-round clash in Saudi Arabia on March 8.
Joshua, 34, is trusting a great knockout can start up interest in a Tyson Fury confrontation after the Gypsy King was nearly annoyed about Ngannou in October, 2023.
Ngannou made it to the top of UFC after travelling as a refugee from Africa to Europe, which included harrowing journeys by sea and truck. It’s something which has inspired Joshua.
“The journey he has taken, he’s a goal getter. He is someone who sets a goal and goes and gets it. To travel across that desert. He said like people that travel across there, they fall off the car, back of the truck and they’re left to die. Think of how many people that you know that have come before you that have tried that same route and you’re going through it. It takes a lot,” Joshua said.
“It takes a lot to travel the Mediterranean, the sea, he crossed, it’s a lot man. He said he couldn’t swim either. It is inspiration. It is someone who searched for a better life and he’s doing it in one of the toughest sports, combat sport. He’s a determined person and I find it inspirational.”
Ngannou almost shocked the world when he knocked down Fury on his boxing debut last October before the Gypsy King came back to win on points and save embarrassment.
This has made Joshua who is inspired by Francis Ngannou said he won’t underestimate the former UFC champion.
“Would I have underestimated him? No, the problem with me is I train the same for every fight; obviously we train differently, but I do always work hard, so I wouldn’t have underestimated him.
“But now I know the guy can fight, I know. There’s no element of surprise, like, ‘He’s gonna be sh*t, he’s not gonna be able to move, he’s gonna have sh*t footwork, his feet are gonna be like he’s stuck in the sand.’ No, he can move, he can come forward, so it’ll be good to see how I deal with that – and how he deals with me as well,” he said.
