Anthony Joshua has been told by Francis Ngannou that his win against Otto Wallin didn’t prove he can fight well under pressure.
Former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua is booked to fight Ngannou just weeks after his stunning knockout win over Wallin. ‘AJ’ had a brilliant 2023 campaign as he bounced back after consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk by winning fights against Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Wallin.
Ngannou will make his second boxing appearance against Joshua after coming within touching distance of beating Tyson Fury when he made his ring debut last October. The former UFC champion admitted that he was impressed by Joshua’s win against Wallin but isn’t confident the Brit is back to his old destructive style.
“He looked amazing, respect to him and congratulations to him. He was doing his job properly, his speed was there and he was very sharp. On the other hand, I think there wasn’t a response in front of him. I think I will have a better response in front of him that will put him in uncomfortable situations and positions,” Ngannou said on The MMA Hour.
“Things will change and be different. I will not just stay there and look at him, it’s going to be different. I’m going to throw some bombs out there for him to deal with. I think he’s going to be mindful of what he’s doing. Nobody still knows what I can do, that was my first fight in boxing and like anyone else I am just improving. The gap of improvement for a beginner like me is huge.”
Ngannou dropped Fury in their fight and only lost by a single point in a controversial decision. The former UFC champion is hoping to beat Joshua and rematch Fury, insisting their second fight must take place by October. Ngannou is unsure whether Joshua will be able to take the same punches that Fury as he questioned the Brit’s chin.
“Not that he’s not a strong fighter. He’s a very tough fighter, but he’s easier to send down than Fury, and it’s harder for him to get back up than Fury. If AJ takes the punch that Fury took, I don’t guarantee that he is getting up. I have heard that he doesn’t have a chin, I am going to find out,” Ngannou added.
