Our boxing ambassador Aaron Bowen gives his thoughts on the big fight between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou.
Get ready to rumble in Riyadh
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou looks like a proper fight this weekend, and I’m intrigued to see how it will play out in Riyadh.
On paper, it looks to be a 50-50 match, as the undefeated reigning heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury struggled against Ngannou when they met last year. Ngannou definitely gave him a run for his money that day, which certainly surprised a few people.
Joshua will be too quick
However, I am going to side with Joshua in this fight, who I think will win within five rounds, and he’ll do it by knockout. It’s styles that make fights, and that’s where I think Joshua will come into his own, as he is the stronger and faster fighter.
Ngannou will struggle with Joshua’s speed, and therefore he won’t be able to get into a rhythm. Furthermore, I think Joshua has improved in his recent fights, and he’ll be able to cope with the pressure and step up to the occasion.
Fair play to Ngannou
Despite this, I do think Ngannou has done very well since he’s turned his attention to boxing, for someone who has very little experience in the sport. You can tell he is a natural fighter from his background as an MMA fighter, which has helped him make the transition. He is a worthy contender in the heavyweight division, but I don’t think he has the quality to be a title contender, and this will be his peak.
I will certainly be tuning in on Saturday night to find out who will come on top!
Tip: Anthony Joshua to win by knockout (8/11)