Anthony Joshua says he hopes a battle against former mixed martial arts fighter Francis Ngannou will lead to a chance to become the world’s undisputed heavyweight champion.
On March 8, former heavyweight world champion Joshua will battle Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in only his second professional bout.
Three weeks before that bout, Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh for the chance to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.
Joshua has won all three of his fights in 2023 as he seeks to return to the top of the heavyweight category, with his most stunning effort coming in a fifth-round finish of Otto Wallin last month.
Cameroonian-born Ngannou made his professional boxing debut in October, knocking down WBC champion Fury before losing a close decision.
“Every fight leads to somewhere, so this fight is my everything, and we’ll see where it takes me,” Joshua said as the combatants faced off at a news conference in London.
“I need to take his mind and spirit; it will be explosive.” We can both trade and have a terrific fight.”
Ngannou nearly caused an upset when he felled Fury to the canvas with a left hook in that battle.
“I heard he doesn’t have a chin,” Ngannou said of British two-time world champion Anthony Joshua.
“I’m not sure whether it’s true or not. We’re about to find out. I hope I get the chance to try it out; that is my wish.”
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, has not hidden his goals for the former Olympic champion.
“If you can envisage the winner of this fight facing the winner of Fury v Usyk, Anthony and his team’s long-held dream is to be undisputed.”
Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou has another chance to face one of the sport’s greatest stars after nearly ending Fury’s unbeaten streak.
“I’m going to come in as an underdog and win the battle. Ngannou responded, “I’ll get this done; I’m just a beginning.”
“I believe I will emerge stronger. I prepared for a tough struggle. The Fury fight is over, and I’m going to take this more seriously than before because there’s more at stake, the undisputed.
“I will do something no one has done before, and I have the tools to do it. It will be a difficult fight, but one that is feasible to win.
Joshua’s victory over Wallin, as well as Ngannou’s surprising performance versus Fury, took place in the Saudi capital.
