Peter Murray, the CEO of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), thinks Francis Ngannou, a former UFC champion, has what it takes to surprise Anthony Joshua.

On March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the MMA veteran will take on the former two-time heavyweight champion.

Ngannou left the UFC and signed a contract with the PFL.

When Ngannou made his pro boxing debut in October of last year, he almost put WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury out of commission. He let him go in the third and caused the Gypsy King to have stylistic issues for the remainder of the song. In a close ten-round split decision, Fury prevailed.

Ngannou is a huge underdog in his upcoming boxing assignment once more.

Murray expects Ngannou to overcome Joshua because he thinks he did more than enough to seal the deal with Fury.

Including Tyson, everyone misjudged Francis’s relationship with Tyson. Francis has, in my opinion, been training continuously.

Murray told Sky Sports, He definitely earned the audience and the fan base across the world, and many would say, including myself, he won that fight.

However, he’s on a mission, and I wouldn’t undervalue the big guy when it comes to AJ. It is going to be a very big occasion. We’re happy for him and will undoubtedly support him.

“He can [defeat Joshua], in my opinion. Francis’s performance will only improve with his next outing. Thus, I believe it is going to happen. I’ll have a great time watching this event. He is the world’s top heavyweight mixed martial arts champion.

He’s faced off against one of the greatest boxers in the world in his first bout as a professional, and now in his second bout against even the greatest boxer in the world.

You know, Francis has always had it as part of his vision for this phase of his career, and we’re proud of him for that. Could not be happier for him.