Sports
| Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou |
|---|
| Venue: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Date: Friday, 8 March Time: Approx 23:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Follow live text coverage on the BBC Sport website & app from 20:00 GMT and live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live from 21:00 GMT. |
EX-UFC champion Francis Ngannou clashed with Tyson Fury and says he is “just getting started” in boxing before his heavyweight fight with Anthony Joshua.
Ngannou faces Joshua in Saudi Arabia on Friday but opted to do his best verbal sparring with former opponent Fury at Wednesday’s news conference.
Joshua took a back seat as Fury reacted to Ngannou’s suggestion he had “struggled” in their October bout.
“I had one win over [Fury] and I want one more,” Ngannou said with a grin.
Fury shouted back that he would face Ngannou in the “octagon” – the UFC’s trademark cage – to which the French Cameroonian replied: “Your only chance is in a boxing ring, with boxing rules.”
Ngannou was the UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion when he left the promotion last year.
The 37-year-old made his boxing debut against Fury four months ago and suffered a contentious split-decision loss – but sent shockwaves through the sport by dropping the WBC champion in the third round.
Ngannou and Fury clashed at Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh’s house on Tuesday and the MMA star was in a bullish mood on Wednesday with the Briton in the audience.
“I’m just getting started. I don’t think that [beating Joshua] will make any statement of my career because the road is still long,” he said.
The remarkable possibility remains that Ngannou could fight for a world title in his third boxing bout, should he beat Joshua in what is only his second fight.
“I really think I haven’t shocked the world yet,” he said, adding he is “still learning” the art of boxing.
Joshua, 34, appeared relaxed at Monday’s grand arrivals and a little tetchy at the open workouts the following day.
He was more jovial at the news conference but in what is becoming a theme in AJ fight weeks, the Watford-born man was reluctant to give any soundbites or engage in verbal jabs the closer the bout comes.
Asked for his response on Ngannou saying he will look for a knockout, Joshua succinctly replied: “Let’s go. The best man will always win. It’s not rocket science.”
There was a respectful and light-hearted exchange between the headliners when Ngannou handed his opponent a set of wireless headphones. Joshua often attends news conferences with music playing in just one ear.
Promoter Hearn predicted his fighter will become undisputed champion, with Friday’s winner a potential next opponent for either Oleksandr Usyk or Fury – most likely in 2025.
Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles, faces WBC belt-holder Fury in May for the undisputed heavyweight title, with a rematch already agreed.
Analysis – Will Ngannou put in a Herculean performance?
https://emp.bbc.com/emp/SMPj/2.51.0/iframe.htmlMedia caption,
Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou explained
All fight week events are being held in Boulevard World, a huge 1.2km long entertainment attraction with areas dedicated to different parts of the globe.
The news conference took place in the ‘Greece’ zone as the fighters took centre stage in the replica amphitheatre.
But the event almost descended into chaos before it had even begun. Unforeseen road closures prevented shuttle buses from reaching the media hotel. Panic-stricken reporters jostled for last-minute taxis.
Not a drop of rain had fallen all week but 45 minutes before the start the heavens opened.
Fortunately for all those involved – the rain subsided and media made it in time as curious locals and a handful of tourists – en route to ‘Egypt’ – peered down from cable cars gliding above the Santorini-inspired setting.
Joshua was short and snappy. He may not hate these obligatory fight week events, but he does not appear to overly enjoy them either.
Instead it was Ngannou who stole the show. His performance against Fury has shown he is a legitimate heavyweight contender – but will he produce another Herculean effort and overcome Olympic and former world champion Joshua?
VANGUARD
7th March, 2024.
C.E
Tags: Anthony Joshua Francis Ngannou
