24 December 2023 , 07:29
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Francis Ngannou wasted no time in calling out Anthony Joshua after the British heavyweight produced a superb display to see off Otto Wallin on Saturday night.
Battling the perception that his career was on the line, the 34-year-old appeared back to his best in Saudi Arabia. He dominated his Swedish opponent to the extent his corner pulled him out of the fight at the end of the fifth round.
But the immediate future now looks uncertain for AJ. Victory was expected to pave the way for a long-awaited bout with Deontay Wilder, a notion now in the balance after the American suffered a shock points defeat at the hands of Joseph Parker.
While no contract had been signed, Saudi organisers had already provisionally planned the Joshua vs Wilder clash for March 2024. But with those plans now in the balance, Ngannou took to social media to tease his own solution.
"Great performance tonight AJ," he posted. But he also included the hashtag #NgannouJoshua along with a thoughtful emoji face, appearing to try and encourage the former world champion to consider a bout.
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The former UFC star stunned the world in October when he took on Tyson Fury in his first professional boxing bout, a clash roundly criticised as a mismatch before the pair stepped in the ring in Saudi Arabia. On the contrary, the 37-year-old floored Fury and was later deemed to have controversially lost on points, with the WBC soon elevating him to No.10 in the rankings.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should AJ fight Francis Ngannou? Comment below.
Anthony Joshua celebrates beating Otto Wallin (AFP via Getty Images)He has since expressed his desire for another heavyweight bout, and could now capitalise on the Wilder situation. Joshua hasn't responded to the post, although immediately after his win did indicate he was still prepared to take on his rival.
"I heard that Deontay lost. So what?" he told reporters. "He'll be back. Deontay, everything that he said about me, I could rip him apart right now, but I'm going to take the higher ground. You can come back. If he wanted to, he can come back. I'm sure everyone still wants to see that fight."
Ultimately, Joshua is eventually expected to face the winner of the unification bout between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. That bout is scheduled for February 17 in Saudi.