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Eddie Hearn, the promoter for former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, is confident that his fighter will emerge victorious in his upcoming bout against MMA veteran Francis Ngannou.
The highly anticipated fight is scheduled to take place on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou, a former UFC champion, made his professional boxing debut in October last year in a crossover match against WBC king Tyson Fury. Despite initial expectations of a one-sided contest in Fury's favor, Ngannou surprised many by dropping Fury in the third round and holding his own for the remainder of the fight. Although Fury ultimately secured a close ten-round split decision win, Ngannou's performance showcased his boxing skills and resilience.
Hearn, while acknowledging the threat posed by Ngannou, remains optimistic about Joshua's chances. In an interview with The MMA Hour, he emphasized Joshua's preparation for the fight and expressed confidence in his ability to secure a knockout victory.
"Everyone’s going to play my previous clips [of me saying] that Francis Ngannou couldn’t win an English title before he fought Tyson Fury. I feel like he’s earned that shot — or certainly to continue at that level. And I fancy the fight. You’ve heard me say before, I really believe AJ knocks him out.
But he’s a dangerous fight. I know that this guy’s a big, big lump that can really punch, and I think he has no fear, which makes him dangerous. But I just feel like AJ’s in a great place, and I expect him to pick him apart and knock him out," Hearn stated.
Despite the perception of some observers that the fight is merely a cash grab, Hearn stressed that it presents a significant challenge for Joshua, especially considering his recent victory over Otto Wallin and the potential opportunity to fight for the IBF world title afterward.
“They’re taking this very seriously,” Hearn added. “In their mind, this is the toughest fight of their career. Francis Ngannou is a very dangerous man, and they’ll be training, absolutely, with every ounce in their soul to be victorious.”
As the excitement builds for the showdown between Joshua and Ngannou, fans and experts alike eagerly await the outcome of what promises to be a compelling clash between two formidable opponents from different combat sports backgrounds.
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