Francis Ngannou has claimed that Anthony Joshua doesn’t ‘have the strength’ to win their upcoming boxing clash.

Ngannou is set to face Joshua in Saudi Arabia on March 8, after the Brit’s bout with Deontay Wilder fell through after the American’s defeat to Joseph Parker at the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card.

Wilder’s defeat opened the door for former UFC champion Ngannou to take on Joshua, despite having lost the only professional boxing fight of his career.

Ngannou, 37, fell to a split decision defeat against heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a thrilling 10-round clash back in October, where he also scored an impressive knockdown.

Despite the loss, the Cameroonian is clearly full of confidence heading into the bout with Joshua and issued a chilling warning to the British star on the High Performance Podcast.

During his appearance on the show, Ngannou said: ‘Never say never. Nothing is impossible. We don’t know the strength of Anthony Joshua.

‘Even though I don’t believe he has that strength, we’re going to find out. In two months, we’re going to find out. I’m going to be the one taking his soul’.

The former UFC star has been adamant that he’ll be victorious against Joshua and even fired back at the Brit’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, in a recent interview.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn said he expects his fighter, Joshua, to knock Ngannou out during their match.

He told MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani: ‘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’.

As reported by The Mirror, Ngannou fired back: ‘Eddie is a promoter, that’s like a routine for me. It’s deja vu, he said the same thing all of the time just not about Francis Ngannou but about somebody else. That’s how he talks and what he does’.

Elsewhere, during his appearance on the High Performance Podcast, Ngannou offered inspirational advice and also reflected on his journey from African to Europe.

He said: ‘The only person that will help you and change your life is you. It’s not somebody who helped me or anybody that help me that make me who I am.

‘Because, if you are a stupid person, they can help you as much as they want. You won’t do anything. Your life depends on you.

‘I made it in Europe inside a zodiac. The small inflatable zodiac. It was nine of us. [I did it for] The dream. I’d rather have a life without dream instead of having a dream without life.

‘You seen all those people that have been rescued or died in the ocean every day. They know all the stories, they know all the worst thing that is happening there, that you have no idea. But they have no choice’.

Anthony Joshua is all set to take on Francis Ngannou on March 8th in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. Ngannou recently made his boxing debut when he took on Tyson Fury in October. Ngannou shocked everyone when he put on a show against the champion and nearly won the fight.

Joshua, the former heavyweight champion, had a turbulent 2023 but is now back to winning ways. In a recent exclusive interview, Sean O’Connell shared his thoughts regarding the upcoming battle. Ngannou has smoothly transitioned from MMA to boxing, and O’Connell feels many MMA fighters will follow in his footsteps.

MMA fighters will find it easy to make a switch to boxing feels O’ Connell 

When Francis Ngannou took center stage against Tyson Fury, many felt the fight would end soon. However, the former UFC heavyweight champion brought out his best and took the fight to the champion. While Ngannou lost the fight via decision, many felt the decision was incorrect. O’Connell feels the switch from MMA to boxing will be a common sight in the future.

In an exclusive interview, O’Connell said: “Francis is such a unique talent and individual that it’s hard to project his journey and success onto other careers. But I am excited to see him against Joshua. He proved all of his doubters wrong with his performance against Tyson Fury, and the boxing world took notice. For Joshua to take this risk is all the proof you need of Francis’ star power. Coming off a win, he had plenty of options, but chose the Francis fight because it’s the most intriguing and most lucrative. Until MMA paydays regularly mirror what top fighters can make for these boxing mega-fights, you’ll see MMA champs trying to cross over.

I am most intrigued by the growing conversation around boxing stars being willing to fight in MMA, or at least in hybrid rules fights. That’s how the fans figure out who the true “baddest on the planet” is. “

While Ngannou may have impressed everyone with his performance against Fury, his next opponent is a force to reckon with inside the ring. Joshua is one of the complete fighters, and taking him on will be a tough challenge. And the former champion is back to winning ways at the right moment.

Anthony Joshua set to take on Francis Ngannou next 

At the beginning of 2023, Anthony Joshua looked like a completely different fighter when he lost his title to Oleksandr Usyk. Not only did he lose his title fight, but he also failed to win his rematch against Usyk. However, “AJ” has completely turned around his fortunes and is now a completely different boxer. He is fresh from a victory against Otto Wallin and will look to reclaim his lost title soon.

Joshua previously was scheduled to take on Deontay Wilder at the same venue. However, he chose to take on Ngannou after Wilder lost his fight with Joseph Parker. ‘ The Predator’ is ready to feature in his second professional bout against top contenders in boxing. After an impressive debut Ngannou will look to register his first professional win against Joshua. Who will win the battle on March 8th? Let us know in the comments below.

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been accused of fighting Francis Ngannou only as a means to one-up Tyson Fury.

Ngannou last year put his MMA career on hold to cross over to the boxing ring to face Fury in October.

And Fury almost suffered the most disastrous of nights having been dropped in round three and taken to the wire over ten rounds.

He managed to escape with a controversial split-decision, keeping his undisputed title decider with Oleksandr Usyk, set for February 17, alive.

So with a rematch ruled out, Ngannou struck a deal with AJ, whose super-fight with Deontay Wilder was blown after the American was beaten.

But retired former super-middleweight champion Carl Froch believes Joshua is only fighting Ngannou to try and better Fury’s performance.

He told Lord Ping: “It’s bad for boxing because who wants to watch it?

“Because when Joshua wins, what’s he done? What’s he achieved? F*** all.

“All he wants is bragging rights to say he did a better job than Fury, but no one cares.

“Joshua-Ngannou is a pointless fight. It’s doing nothing for boxing.

“Sure, it keeps him ticking over while he waits for the winner of Fury versus Usyk, but why not fight a real boxer; fight Zhilei Zhang, fight Joe Joyce, fight Daniel Dubois.

“There are fights available to Joshua against top contenders and real boxers. But instead he’s jumping in with Ngannou in a pointless exhibition.”

Despite Froch’s blast, boxing bosses in Saudi want the winner of Fury and Usyk’s unification bout to then fight the victory of Joshua and Ngannou.

Eric Nicksick, coach of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, spoke about his expectations from his ward’s fight against Anthony Joshua.

Recall, Joshua and Ngannou will fight on March 8 at the tournament in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).

MMA Fighting quotes Nicksick as saying:

Ngannou, 37, made his professional debut in October 2023 against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. In that fight, Francis was defeated by a split decision of the judges.

Joshua, 34, last fought in December 2023, defeating Otto Wallin by technical knockout in the fifth round. He has 27 wins (24 by knockout) and three losses

ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed he rejected three other potential opponents to make the Francis Ngannou fight.

Joshua, 34, will face off against former UFC heavyweight king Ngannou, 37, in Saudi Arabia on March 8.

Prior to AJ’s win over Otto Wallin in December, he had signed to face American KO artist Deontay Wilder.

But The Bronze Bomber was comprehensively outboxed by Joseph Parker on the same bill as Joshua’s stoppage victory.

And Wilder’s defeat left many claiming a fight with AJ was dead in the water.

Yet Joshua has now insisted he still believed he could have faced the Alabama puncher next.

As well as Wilder, a clash with IBF mandatory Filip Hrgovic was also discussed.

And a trilogy against Andy Ruiz Jr was also in the mix in what would have been a follow-up to their two fights in 2019.

But once the Brit was approached about the Ngannou bout, he urged them to make the fight.

Speaking on The MMA Hour, he said: “I thought it might be Wilder still, because the contracts were signed, and it’s still a big fight.

ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT

“It’s still an amazing fight, it’s a crossover between UK and USA, all that good stuff promotional-wise, it’s still a good fight.

“So no, I kind of let that one slide, and then it was the [Flip] Hrgovic situation, the [Andy] Ruiz situation.

“Then they put Francis there, and my team were like, ‘This is a good opportunity on this day in Saudi Arabia against this opponent. What are you saying?’

“I said, ‘Let’s roll. Let’s go.’”

Joshua is heading into the Ngannou fight off the back of three successive wins against Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Wallin.

Ngannou is preparing for only his second pro boxing fight after narrowly losing by split decision to Tyson Fury in what almost became one of the sport’s all-time great upsets.

If Joshua wins, many will want him to take on the winner of the undisputed fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk – which is set for February 17.

AJ has already lost twice to Usyk, but a blockbuster all-British dust-up with Fury has never materialised.

However, when asked about the possibility of facing Fury or Usyk, he added: “Let me say this again, I’m not focusing on [facing the Fury-Usyk winner].

“I’m going to take my mind, I have to draw it back that Ngannou is my undisputed title fight. That’s the mentality I have to have.

“Ngannou is my undisputed fight. Because you’re only as good as your last fight, and I respect him a lot. He ain’t easy money. He’s a hard night’s work.

“And you know what’s crazy? So am I. I’m a hard night’s work for anyone. So let’s go, it’s going to be fireworks.”

Mauricio Sulaiman, has said that former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will earn the WBC’s No.1 ranking if he beats Francis Ngannou.

However, Sulaiman insists a potential fight with Tyson Fury will likely have to wait as he is already committed to a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua will enter the ring with Ngannou on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in what will be his fourth fight in the space of 11 months after victories over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.

Ngannou will be competing in just his second professional boxing fight after narrowly losing to Fury on debut last October.

Mauricio Sulaiman, has said that former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will earn the WBC’s No.1 ranking if he beats Francis Ngannou.

However, Sulaiman insists a potential fight with Tyson Fury will likely have to wait as he is already committed to a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua will enter the ring with Ngannou on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in what will be his fourth fight in the space of 11 months after victories over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.

Ngannou will be competing in just his second professional boxing fight after narrowly losing to Fury on debut last October.

Joshua held the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts until he lost to Usyk in September 2021 and he has got his career back on track following successive defeats against the Ukrainian.

And Sulaiman says his rise to being No.1 in the WBC will be complete if he is victorious in March.

“Anthony Joshua was first ranked by the WBC when he started as a professional and then he kept moving up and was ranked inside the top five and then number 2 ranked when he received the opportunity to fight for another title (the IBF),” he told gambling.com.

Former world champion Carl Froch has told Anthony Joshua his fight with Francis Ngannou is a waste of time.

Joshua will take on ex-UFC heavyweight world champion Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on March 8. The Brit had planned to take on Deontay Wilder in the Middle East but the American slipped to a shock defeat against Joseph Parker last month.

Ngannou stepped in after impressing the boxing world on his professional debut when he dropped Tyson Fury in the third round before losing on points. Joshua knows victory could earn him a shot at the winner of Fury’s clash with Oleksandr Usyk which takes place next month.

But Froch sees no point in him facing Ngannou instead of a legitimate contender. “It’s bad for boxing because who wants to watch it? Because when Joshua wins, what’s he done? What’s he achieved? F*** all,” he told Lord Ping. “All he wants is bragging rights to say he did a better job than Fury, but no one cares. Joshua Ngannou is a pointless fight. It’s doing nothing for boxing.

“Sure, it keeps him ticking over while he waits for the winner of Fury versus Usyk, but why not fight a real boxer; fight Zhilei Zhang, fight Joe Joyce, fight Daniel Dubois. There are fights available to Joshua against top contenders and real boxers. But instead he’s jumping in with Ngannou in a pointless exhibition.”

Joshua, however, insists Ngannou represents a danger to his dream of becoming a three-time champion. “He brings two arms, a body, but his mind is different to everyone else. In terms of his frame and make-up I’ve seen people like him many times before,” he said.

On his thoughts when the Ngannou fight was offered, Joshua added: “No problem. Every fight leads to somewhere, so this fight is my everything and we will see where it leads me. My main focus is Ngannou and getting through an intense training camp. I have got to take his mind and his spirit, it will be explosive. We can both trade and it will be a good fight.”