Anthony Joshua 'will lose his legacy' if he fails to beat 'dangerous' Francis Ngannou

Anthony Joshua 'will lose his legacy' if he fails to beat 'dangerous' Francis Ngannou

WATCH NOW: Anthony Joshua 'will lose his legacy' if he crashes to defeat against Francis Ngannou

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 08/03/2024

- 09:49

The duo will do battle in Riyadh this evening with millions poised to tune in

Anthony Joshua will 'lose his legacy' if he fails to beat Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia tonight.

That's according to boxing journalist Gareth A Davies, who thinks the 34-year-old will be facing a 'dangerous' opponent in Ngannou.


The 37-year-old is relatively new to boxing, having had just one career fight so far.

That was against Tyson Fury back in October, with Ngannou pushing the Gypsy King all the way before losing via split decision.

Anthony Joshua

Gareth A Davies says Anthony Joshua is putting his boxing legacy on the line for tonight's blockbuster showdown with Francis Ngannou

GETTY/GBNEWS

All the pressure is on Joshua tonight due to the experience he has, with Ngannou very much the underdog.

But Davies, speaking exclusively to GB News, feels the Watford-born boxer is putting his legacy on the line in the Middle East.

"He's got a lot of work to do," he said.

"Look of course he's getting a boatload of cash from this fight with Ngannou, who shocked the world in his first major boxing match last October, knocked Tyson Fury down in the third round and beat him up in the eighth round in a very close fight.

"But now he's a player in the division, Anthony Joshua will really lose his legacy if he loses this fight.

"It's unthinkable for him to lose in many ways, there is genuine jeopardy in the fight.

"And I think the key for Joshua tonight is that he starts with all the momentum he showed here in December against Otto Wallin where he bust him up and beat him in the fifth round.

"There's always pressure on Anthony Joshua. He's a superstar, we expect so much from him.

"And if he's to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world, and fight the winner of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, he's got to get the job done.

"But Ngannou is dangerous the whole time he's in there."

Joshua has weighed in 20lbs lighter than Ngannou for their bout.

And Davies says it will be a 'rumble in Riyadh', while also admitting Joshua 'needs to get the job done' to have any chance of fighting the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk in May.

"Yeah 20 odd pounds, Ngannou is the same weight as when he fought Fury so he's going to be up for 10 rounds," he added.

"It really is a rumble in Riyadh, they're calling it knockout chaos.

"They're both brilliant characters, Tyson Fury was here as well and stirring it.

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Boxing Anthony Joshua Francis Ngannou

Boxing fans from all over the world are set to tune in to Anthony Joshua's seismic showdown with Francis Ngannou

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"Two giant men, flying fists, it really will be knockout chaos tonight.

"Joshua has to get the job done because, otherwise, his legacy is dented in a huge way."

Joshua could be forgiven for feeling nervous prior to the big event tonight.

But the Briton cut a confident figure and has dubbed himself the 'postman' as he looks to reign supreme.

"Official prediction? I deliver - I am the postman," the 34-year-old said.

Francis Ngannou Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua will be facing a 'dangerous' Francis Ngannou after the former UFC star pressed Tyson Fury all the way back in October

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As for Ngannou, the former UFC star is relishing his underdog status.

"I have learnt a little bit from the last fight, the last camp, and leading up to this one, so I get a little bit of experience, but the mindset is still the same," he said.

"This is just my second boxing match, even though I am taking on the two best guys in the world in boxing.

"I am the underdog, I am going out there to prove that you can be an underdog and stand your ground."

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