Having gone 10 rounds with Tyson Fury in October last year, Francis Ngannou showed interest in Anthony Joshua. After Team Joshua reciprocated Ngannou’s interest, a fight on March 8th this year was scheduled. Ahead of the contest, former British WBO Cruiserweight and WBF Heavyweight champion, Johnny Nelson claimed the risk outweighed the reward for Joshua against Francis.

On that note, in his latest interaction with Pro Boxing Fans, promoter Eddie Hearn strongly disagreed with the former British boxer-turned-analyst. In Hearn’s opinion, Joshua’s contribution to British boxing is and will remain unparalleled. Well, here is what the promoter said.

Eddie Hearn wonders if Johnny Nelson is a hater of Anthony Joshua

In his latest interview with Sky Sports News, Johnny Nelson said Anthony Joshua must pass the test against Francis Ngannou “with flying colours.” However, if Joshua lost to Francis, with his “credibility gone,” Nelson claimed that would be it for the British boxer. In his opinion, following a loss against the mixed martial artist, Joshua’s career would be “in tatters.” Responding to Nelson, Eddie Hearn said, “Fair, good old, Johnny Nelson. I mean whatever.”

‘You want to ignore what AJ has done for all of us. I mean he has kept Johnny Nelson in a job. Put it that way. He has kept me in a job as well. So, we should be really thankful for what AJ’s done for us, the sport,” Hearn added indignantly.

“The fact that he has unified the Heavyweight division, become a two-time world champion, changed the face of British boxing, won Olympic gold, inspired a whole generation of people to start getting fit and active. If a defeat [to Ngannou] ruins all of that, then you’re one word, buddy. You’re a hater,” stated the chairperson of Matchroom.

However, Nelson felt otherwise.

Nelson fears Joshua will likely lose his success

Although Hearn believes Anthony Joshua’s career will remain unmarred despite the fight against Ngannou, Nelson fears a loss would likely decimate Joshua’s success. “If you lose to him, all the Olympics, all the success, being a two-time heavyweight champion, it is all gone,” Nelson told Sky Sports News. In addition, since Ngannou had only one fight in boxing, Nelson feared Anthony Joshua would fail to recover from a loss against Francis.

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Well, do you think Anthony Joshua would lose against Francis Ngannou? In addition, what do you make of Eddie Hearn’s reply to Johnny Nelson? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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