Boxing star aims dig at Tyson Fury and backs Anthony Joshua to destroy Francis Ngannou

Joshua's upcoming bout with Ngannou was recently confirmed, with that battle due to take place in Saudi Arabia.

It'll be interesting to see what happens, especially given how well Ngannou performed against Fury back in October.

And Clarke, writing in his column for The Metro, has aimed a dig at Fury by saying he 'underestimated' the 37-year-old.

"Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou was confirmed out of nowhere last week," he said.

"Like Tyson Fury did, ‘AJ’ will probably take a bit of flack but make no mistake – anyone in the division would take that fight.

"Anthony has seen an opportunity here. These guys are global superstars.

"This fight appeals to a wider scope of fans in addition to regular boxing fans and there is so much money to be made.

"I know myself if the opportunity to do something like that ever came my way, I would jump on it too.

"Ngannou shocked the world with his debut performance against Tyson Fury last year.

"As impressive as it was, there will be no surprises about him this time around.

"That element of mystery has gone, we have seen what he is capable of and what he is not capable of.

"I would expect Anthony Joshua to win and win well in this one.

"Having seen the power this man possesses in both hands, ‘AJ’ will not be taking it lightly like Fury did – he is too well-schooled for that.

"Ngannou has earned a lot of respect and of course this is heavyweight boxing, anything can happen.

"This man went 10 rounds with the lineal heavyweight champion and had him down and almost out so he will not be underestimating him and they will be preparing for every possibility.

"Joshua of course will be the favourite but this is another where we just don’t know what can happen and that is exactly what sells the fight."

Clarke does think, however, that Joshua's fight with Ngannou isn't the best preparation for a clash with Filip Hrgovic.

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"Joshua had a brilliant 2023 and finished it so well, demolishing a really skilled fighter in Otto Wallin," he added.

"With this fight, we are talking about a man who has one professional fight and one professional loss.

"Joshua will be looking towards world titles after this fight.

"On paper, is Ngannou the ideal preparation for Filip Hrgovic, or maybe even the winner of Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk? Probably not.

"It is a very different type of fight and I think we will see that in how Joshua goes to work in fight camp.

"No doubt he will be working with some big, athletic guys.

"It’s not ideal preparation for those fights previously mentioned but when the numbers on the table are as big as they are for this, the regular plan goes out the window.

"Those other fights will be bigger tests for sure but for now all is focus will be on Ngannou.

"The biggest incentive is to go in there and do a better job on him than Fury managed. I believe he will do that.

"After this, I think he will be looking at Hrgovic, when that IBF belt is likely to be available again.

"Three great wins on the bounce have underlined AJ’s position in this heavyweight division again and this fight enhances that further.

"It sets him up for a big fight in the summer and then possibly the Fury vs Usyk winner. This could be the year he becomes heavyweight champion of the world again."