By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-01-31 03:33:53
The upcoming fight between Joshua and Francis Ngannou in March will not have any belts on the line, but Joshua sees it as an opportunity to prove he is still the best boxer in his division. The former UFC heavyweight champion provides a chance for Joshua to regain his status after losing to Oleksandr Usyk and remain titleless in recent times. Should Joshua emerge victorious against Ngannou, it could pave the way for him to challenge for boxing titles once again. However, Joshua is currently focused on his upcoming fight, viewing Ngannou as the ultimate opponent to defeat.
Joshua emphasized that he is not concentrating on any potential title shot following the fight, stating that Ngannou is his real undisputed title fight, and this is the mentality that he must maintain. He respects Ngannou as a tough opponent, acknowledging that he is also a formidable force in the ring. Despite Ngannou’s dominance in the UFC, there is a significant difference in boxing experience between the two athletes. Joshua has an impressive record of 27-3, with his only losses against Usyk and Andy Ruiz Jr., which he avenged in an immediate rematch. His upcoming fight with Otto Wallin was anticipated to lead to a matchup with Deontay Wilder, but Ngannou ultimately became his opponent.
Having expressed respect for Ngannou’s boxing skills, Joshua is not concerned with how his opponent performed against Tyson Fury in his pro boxing debut. Instead, Joshua is focused on his own abilities and disregards any comparison with Fury. He is determined to focus on what he does best to give himself an advantage in the fight. Joshua emphasized his confidence in his ability to handle common opponents with Fury, stating that he either stopped or knocked them out.
The fight between Joshua and Ngannou is scheduled for March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Despite no belts being at stake, the bout is significant for Joshua’s career as he looks to reclaim his position as a dominant force in the boxing world.
