Francis Ngannou fight could prove Anthony Joshua was right about Tyson Fury

01 March 2024 , 12:44

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Anthony Joshua faces off against the forrmer UFC champ Francis Ngannou next week (Image: PA)

I’m inclined to agree with Anthony Joshua, that Tyson Fury is not the defining heavyweight of the age.

Fury has some incredible attributes and remains unbeaten, but is being measured largely on two great performances against Vladimir Klitschko in 2015 and Deontay Wilder four years ago, to the exclusion of lesser displays like, for example, Francis Ngannou last time out.

Fury was down in the third that night, the seventh time he has been horizontal in his career, including 11 years ago at the hands of Steve Cunningham, an inflated cruiser giving away more than three stones.

Because of that it is hard to rate Ngannou’s power as it applies to a boxing ring. I’m not convinced he is the hardest punching heavyweight in the division.

Ngannou had never fought under Queensberry Rules. It might be that Fury made him look better than he is. I’m not sure that Fury took it seriously enough, though he clearly won the fight, despite the split verdict.

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I believe Joshua is a better puncher than Fury. Not as fluid or as good a boxer, but more aggressive and, I suspect, too much for Ngannou when they meet next week in Riyadh.

It will be interesting to see how Joshua approaches it. There is jeopardy. Some think he is done after the defeat to Andy Ruiz and the successive losses against Oleksandr Usyk.

I’m not so sure. Ruiz is a good prizefighter after all, well-schooled. He knows his way about a ring and has hell of a dig. Usyk was just too good.

Francis Ngannou knocked down Tyson Fury during their bout last year (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

He has a way of dealing with big guys and may well be the victor when he faces Fury in May. That would be a disaster for Joshua as much as Fury. If Fury does prevail, I still think Joshua beats him. It’s all about styles, but that’s for another day.

I expect Ngannou’s limitations to be exposed by Joshua. Ngannou is not hard to hit. Joshua just has to be careful early on, get that jab going and run off his combinations.

Once he hits Ngannou, the picture will change. I believe he will take him out, probably in the later rounds. The only way Ngannou wins is if Joshua gets careless. An orthodox display, high hands, tight defence and solid jab should expose Ngannou for the novice he is.

This is all geared towards that illusive showdown between Joshua and Fury. The problem is Usyk knows that, too, and is uniquely equipped to throw another spanner in the works.

Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @mcguigans_gym

Barry McGuigan