The combat sports world is buzzing with anticipation as Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua prepare to collide in a blockbuster boxing showdown this 8th March in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While the focus has largely been on both contestants, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has raised eyebrows with his recent remarks about Ngannou.
The Fear Factor- Francis Ngannou’s Confidence
Hearn, known for his candid assessments, didn’t mince his words while speaking to MMA Junkie following the pre-fight press conference on Wednesday.
“Ngannou is huge,” said Hearn, “I’m quite fascinated by the size of him. AJ’s a massive man, but Ngannou’s legs – everything. He’s got a lot of confidence going into this fight. He should be petrified. But he’s really not, and that’s worrying in itself. AJ’s better than him in itself. But he’s very strong, he’s very powerful and he punches very hard. And in this division, that can get you to victory.”
Ngannou possesses what Hearn calls “freak strength”—a raw, unbridled power that can alter the course of a fight. His knockout ability is legendary, and opponents have crumbled under his thunderous blows. Yet, there’s an air of mystery surrounding Ngannou.
Ngannou’s potential was made crystal clear when he boxed Tyson Fury. In their clash last October, Ngannou held his own against the World’s No. 1 heavyweight. Fury, despite not being at his best, remains a top-15 fighter. Ngannou’s performance against him was impressive, even if Fury had an off night. Hearn acknowledges this, emphasizing that Ngannou wasn’t just facing any opponent; he was tangling with a boxing icon.
Meanwhile, Joshua’s journey has been well-documented. His experience, technical prowess, and championship pedigree make him a formidable adversary. Hearn acknowledges that Joshua’s trainer, Ben Davison, is eager for a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk—a chance to avenge his losses. But the spectre of Ngannou looms large. Joshua must stay focused, not underestimating the man across the ring.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how he’s improved,” the British promoter went on. “AJ’s a different beast. Fury and AJ have got different attributes. AJ’s very fast, and punches very hard. And it’ll be interesting to see – and Fury said to me, ‘I hit Ngannou hard and he didn’t move.’ And I was like, ‘Ah.’ So we’ll see if he can stand up to the speed and power of AJ.
“The only way Ngannou can win is to land a shot on AJ at some point during the fight. There’s no way that Francis can win rounds against AJ repetitively. So he has to win this fight by knockout. And as the rounds go on and he gets tired, the power will start to diminish.”
This Friday night in Riyadh, Ngannou has a chance to prove himself once more. Can he weather Joshua’s onslaught? Will his freak power prevail? The Octagon awaits, and fans are bracing for fireworks. Joshua may be the favorite, but Ngannou’s hunger and unpredictability could easily tip the scales.
READ MORE: Should The UFC Reclaim Francis Ngannou?
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