Anthony Joshua has changed his tune on "gimmicky" Francis Ngannou fight

08 January 2024 , 10:55

941     0

Anthony Joshua has changed his tune on "gimmicky" Francis Ngannou fight

Anthony Joshua will face Francis Ngannou in two months time despite the Brit previously labelling the crossover fight as "gimmicky".

Former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua has booked a fight against Ngannou just weeks after his impressive knockout win against Otto Wallin. 'AJ' was expected to fight Deontay Wilder next but his longtime rival scuppered plans of an illustrious two-fight deal when he lost to Joseph Parker in a huge upset.

Wilder's misfortune was great news for Ngannou as it meant the former UFC champion fit perfectly into the heavyweight equation. Joshua has now performed a complete U-turn on the fight as he dismissed facing Ngannou only seven months ago, insisting he was focused on fighting Wilder and trying to become a three-time champion.

Are you excited for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below

“I spoke to AJ about the fight. He likes it and he gets it, but he’s very focused on his boxing career at the moment. He doesn’t want to derail that to do something a little bit gimmicky. Even though it’s is dangerous, he wants to prepare for Deontay Wilder, and I think he doesn’t feel that Ngannou would prepare him for Deontay Wilder," Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn told The Mac Life.

Eddie Hearn opens talks for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou heavyweight fight

The heavyweight world titles are locked up for most of this year as Tyson Fury fights Oleksandr Usyk on February 17 in a fight which has a two-way rematch clause. Joshua was linked to fight Filip Hrgovic instead of Ngannou, but that fight would have only taken place if Usyk or Fury was stripped of the IBF belt after their undisputed clash.

Ngannou will fight as a professional boxer for just the second time against Joshua after his stunning performance against Fury last year. The former UFC champion was told by fans and pundits that he didn't stand a chance against Fury, but he dropped the Brit and only lost by one point in a controversial decision.

Joshua took confidence from Ngannou's fight against Fury as he told The Evening Standard : "I've said I would beat Tyson Fury and that view has only been cemented by seeing his display vs Francis Ngannou. That was a gimmick fight and Fury nearly got totally caught out. Imagine what I, as a pure boxer, can do to him when the time comes.”

Harry Davies