- Joshua fights former UFC champion Ngannou on March 8 in Saudi Arabia but he dismissed the “gimmick” fight last year and insisted he wasn’t interested in it
Anthony Joshua will face Francis Ngannou in two months time despite the Brit previously labelling the crossover fight as “gimmicky”.
Former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua has booked a fight against Ngannou just weeks after his impressive knockout win against Otto Wallin. ‘AJ’ was expected to fight Deontay Wilder next but his longtime rival scuppered plans of an illustrious two-fight deal when he lost to Joseph Parker in a huge upset.
Wilder’s misfortune was great news for Ngannou as it meant the former UFC champion fit perfectly into the heavyweight equation. Joshua has now performed a complete U-turn on the fight as he dismissed facing Ngannou only seven months ago, insisting he was focused on fighting Wilder and trying to become a three-time champion.
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“I spoke to AJ about the fight. He likes it and he gets it, but he’s very focused on his boxing career at the moment. He doesn’t want to derail that to do something a little bit gimmicky. Even though it’s is dangerous, he wants to prepare for Deontay Wilder, and I think he doesn’t feel that Ngannou would prepare him for Deontay Wilder,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told The Mac Life.
