Joe Joyce has issued a warning to Anthony Joshua ahead of his anticipated showdown with the unpredictable Francis Ngannou. The former UFC heavyweight champion, who transitioned to professional boxing with a notable debut against Tyson Fury last October, is set to face the British boxer in Saudi Arabia on March 8th.
Despite Ngannou’s narrow loss to Fury in a split decision, his formidable punching power remains a concern for Joshua, as emphasized by Joyce, who sparred with Ngannou in 2020. Reflecting on their spar, Joyce acknowledged Ngannou’s MMA background but cautioned about his ability to deliver devastating blows.
While Ngannou’s focus has primarily been on MMA, his transition to boxing presents a unique challenge for Joshua. With Ngannou’s power game and unpredictable style, Joyce believes that landing one of his signature shots, similar to the one he connected with against Fury, could spell trouble for Joshua.
Joshua, aiming to extend his three-fight winning streak, seeks to reclaim his peak form after consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk. The upcoming bout with Ngannou presents another opportunity for Joshua to assert his dominance in the heavyweight division, following his victory over Otto Wallin in Riyadh last December.
