Can lightning strike twice in the boxing ring? Francis Ngannou, once deemed an underdog, nearly toppled Tyson Fury last October. His ferocious left hook floored the undefeated Fury, stunning fans worldwide. Now, Ngannou faces Anthony Joshua in a titanic clash. It’s set for March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. But as the sands of time count down to this colossal encounter, will Riyadh witness the birth of a new boxing legend?
Legendary promoter Frank Warren weighs in, his words echoing the fight’s magnitude. Ngannou’s previous bout was no fluke; it was a declaration. But can he replicate that against Joshua? Warren’s insight is a beacon, forecasting a knockout.
What has Anthony Joshua learned from Ngannou’s last bout?
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“We got a good fight, the main event is a very intriguing fight,” Warren stated, setting the stage for a clash that’s more than just a physical contest. His recognition of Anthony Joshua’s journey to reestablish himself as a heavyweight titan is palpable. Joshua, according to Warren, has “made a good job of it in his last fight.”
Transitioning to Ngannou, Warren’s admiration is evident. He highlighted the challenger’s commendable performance against Tyson Fury, where many had underestimated him. “You got Anthony Joshua… in with a guy who put a tremendous performance up against Tyson Fury when a lot of people were just writing him off as a no chancer and a no hoper.”
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Delving deeper, Warren pondered the potential lessons Ngannou carried from his battle with Fury. “So what’s he learned from his last fight, from making that against Tyson can he improve?” This reflection signals the evolution of Ngannou from an MMA powerhouse to a nuanced boxer who might just redefine his sporting legacy. For Joshua, the stakes are clear. Warren’s rhetorical query, “And for AJ who’s seen him in action, what can he do differently that Tyson didn’t do to stop him? For me that’s going to be interesting,“ encapsulates the tactical enigma Joshua faces.
Lights out in Riyadh!
Warren candidly critiqued Fury’s performance in his last outing, saying, “I’ll be very honest, I don’t think he was. It was a bit of an off night for him, but good champions win when they’re on their off nights.” His anticipation for the Joshua-Ngannou fight is laden with expectations of a conclusive finish. “I think the fight on Friday, somebody will get knocked out. I don’t think it’s going to go the distance,” he predicted.
Frank’s words make it clear that Ngannou can’t be taken lightly. Fortunately, AJ agrees with him on this as he told Sky Sports, “This is a serious fight with someone who is prepared and understands the dynamic of boxing and he’s putting up a good fight against the apparently generational great. So, I look at it now as something completely different.”
Will Ngannou’s raw power and newfound boxing acumen rise to the occasion, or will Joshua’s experience and strategic prowess reaffirm his status at the apex of the sport? The answer to “who will get knocked out?” awaits us, and the impact of that moment will resonate far beyond the confines of the ring.
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