Boxing

Anthony Joshua expects “straight up war” against Francis Ngannou

ANTHONY JOSHUA has vowed to combat hearth with hearth in a ‘straight up war’ against Francis Ngannou in Riyadh on Friday evening.

Joshua takes on the 0-1 former UFC champion on the Kingdom Arena in what might be his fourth combat inside 12 months.

The two-time heavyweight champion gained 3 times throughout 2023 and his vicious destruction of Otto Wallin in Saudi on December 23 led many to counsel that the ‘Old AJ’ is again, following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.

Ngannou, who misplaced his boxing debut by way of cut up resolution to Tyson Fury in October, is adamant he’s able to knocking Joshua out on Friday and the Londoner insists he might be responding in form.

“Will I fight fire with fire? 100 per cent,” Joshua stated at Wednesday’s remaining press convention. “Let’s go. It’s not rocket science, one of the best man will at all times win.

“It might be simply straight up battle, relentlessness and an excellent combat, that’s what everyone seems to be right here for. One of the primary issues I’m wanting ahead to is displaying how good I’m.

“We’re not looking past this fight. This is my main focus, the incentives and all that stuff is not my concern. Just the win. Let’s focus on my game plan and do what I’ve got to do.”

Joshua was additionally requested whether or not he feels below stress to ship an explosive efficiency. He replied: “Always, at all times, at all times. It’s our responsibility to do what we’ve received to do. We are right here to entertain them. But that’s my life, that’s what I’ve signed up to do. Bring each problem, each competitors and I’ll step up to the plate.

“I’ve been in the ring with Zhilei Zhang, I’ve shared the ring with Joseph Parker, I’m going to share the ring with Francis, one day I’ll share the ring with Tyson [Fury]. I signed to fight Big Baby Miller, I’ve sparred Daniel Dubois, I’ve signed to fight Bronze Bomber. I’m serious about the game. It’s what we do.  It’s my duty to work for these guys and give them entertaining nights.”

Joshua’s coach Ben Davison has urged that Ngannou will battle to finish all 10 rounds provided that he has solely ever executed that after in his life.

And the Cameroon born martial artist smiled when that quote was put to him.

“Yes, that’s true,” he stated. “I battle to do 10 rounds, and if anyone doesn’t battle to do 10 rounds then you definately’re not human. Everybody will get drained after 10 rounds. I’ve no drawback with that, I’m right here to study.

“I’m just working, building and learning about the sport I’ve loved my entire life. I haven’t had the chance to get experience in it it is just now that I’m working on that. I trust the process and my team. I’m not going to leave any stone unturned or any opportunity unexplored.”

On Joshua’s fifth spherical stoppage of Wallin, Ngannou added: “It was a flawless efficiency, a fantastic efficiency and I watched that combat carefully. But it doesn’t do something for me as a result of I do know I’m not Wallin. When we get within the ring, that’s when the combat.

“The reason I am here is because I believe in myself. That doesn’t mean I control the outcome, I believe in the fact I will go out there and do my best.”


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