Francis Ngannou has the potential to cause a major upset by defeating Anthony Joshua in their upcoming heavyweight showdown in Saudi Arabia, according to veteran promoter Frank Warren. Joshua, a British boxer and former world champion, is set to face off against Ngannou on March 8, aiming to solidify his position as a three-time world champion.
However, Warren believes that Joshua will face a tough challenge in the 10-round bout against the 37-year-old Cameroonian fighter Ngannou. Despite being best known as a mixed martial artist, Ngannou has shown his punching power in the boxing ring. He stunned many observers with an early knockdown of Tyson Fury, another fighter promoted by Warren, in a previous match. Although Ngannou ultimately lost to Fury in a controversial split-decision, Warren believes that his punching ability could pose problems for Joshua.
Warren highlighted Joshua's vulnerability, citing his two defeats to Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk, who took away his World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation, and World Boxing Organisation belts. These losses, according to Warren, demonstrate that Joshua can be wobbled in fights, and there may be doubts about his confidence as a result.
The upcoming heavyweight clash between Fury and Usyk, scheduled for February 17 in Saudi Arabia, adds further excitement to the division. The winner of this fight will become the heavyweight division's first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis, who held all the major belts from 1999 to 2000.
Warren's comments not only fuel anticipation for the Joshua vs. Ngannou fight but also highlight the potential for unexpected outcomes in boxing. The sport is known for its unpredictability, and Ngannou's powerful punching ability could certainly make for an exciting and surprising matchup against Joshua.
As fans eagerly await the showdown between these two heavyweight fighters, all eyes will be on March 8 to see if Ngannou can indeed cause a "massive upset" by defeating Joshua and making a name for himself in the world of boxing.