More Than a Gimmick in the Boxing Ring Facing Anthony Joshua

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The recent memory of Francis Ngannou reveling in the moment while an astonished Tyson Fury recovered on the canvas was unforgettable for the boxing community. For those devoted to the art of boxing, it seemed as though a catastrophe was in progress.

Could it be possible that a newcomer from the UFC was on the verge of defeating the reigning heavyweight boxing champion? Although Fury managed to survive and secure a contentious split-decision win, Ngannou’s debut in boxing left an indelible mark.

Now, the former UFC phenom is set to return to the boxing stage—his sights set on former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. On Friday in Saudi Arabia, the French-Cameroonian fighter aims to disrupt the boxing hierarchy and pave the way for a potential rematch with Fury.

The common assumption ahead of the fight is that Joshua will triumph, positioning him for a matchup with Fury, contingent on Fury defeating Oleksandr Usyk in their upcoming May 18 fight for the undisputed heavyweight title.

Nevertheless, Ngannou is prepared to generate headlines once more, pursuing a boxing championship shortly after dominating the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

“I’ve showcased my abilities—the guy I’m facing next (Joshua) knows what he’s in for,” Ngannou commented upon his arrival in Riyadh. “I’ve lost the element of surprise. So, how can I catch him off guard again? What new tricks can I reveal?”

Ngannou exudes a calm and self-assured demeanor. Despite being relatively new to top-tier boxing, his formative years in Cameroon were spent boxing, and he sees his return to the ring as a fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

After a disagreement with UFC leadership, Ngannou parted ways with the organization and was subsequently stripped of his belt by UFC President Dana White. By May, he had joined the Professional Fighters League but has yet to compete as he focuses on boxing. He plans to juggle both an MMA and boxing career.

Prior to the Ngannou-Joshua bout, the burning question remains: Did Fury underestimate Ngannou, leading to an unexpected struggle, or is Ngannou genuinely a natural fighter across different combat sports? Their fight promises answers.

Joshua, having suffered back-to-back defeats to Usyk, finds himself at a pivotal juncture in his boxing career. On the comeback trail with a trio of wins against non-elite boxers, his most recent victory—a fifth-round stoppage of Otto Wallin in Riyadh—hinted at a return to form.

Yet Ngannou represents a formidable test, and the stakes are high. Fury has already expressed interest in facing Joshua if he can dispatch of Usyk.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is keenly interested in arranging a lucrative Joshua-Fury encounter, something that has eluded him over the past five years. For Joshua, his immediate focus is on Ngannou: “Francis is a hell of a fighter,” he says, “Strong, big puncher, and a lot better boxer than we all thought he would ever be.”

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

The anticipation surrounding Francis Ngannou’s second foray into boxing is palpable, with many intrigued to see if he can continue to defy expectations and establish himself as a credible threat in the ring. As Ngannou prepares to face Anthony Joshua, the combat sports world is watching keenly, pondering whether the switch from UFC to boxing could indeed lead to another monumental surprise. Whatever the outcome on Friday, it’s clear that Ngannou’s presence in boxing is far from a gimmick—it’s a testament to his versatile combat prowess and determination to conquer new challenges.

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