Anthony Joshua shadowboxes with kids in Francis Ngannou open workout

05 March 2024 , 20:05

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Anthony Joshua held his open workout alongside youth from a local boxing club (Image: Getty Images)

Anthony Joshua was joined in the ring by members of a local boxing club at the open workouts for his Francis Ngannou fight.

Former two-time unified heavyweight world champion Joshua is in the final stages of preparing for his fight against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou on Friday in Saudi Arabia.

Both men showed off glimpses of their skills to fans in Riyadh on Tuesday evening but Joshua didn't even lace up a pair of gloves or wrap his hands.

Several youngsters were invited by Joshua into the ring and 'AJ' took an interest in one of the boys as he stood in a corner of the ring to watch him hit pads. "It’s a great chance for me to let other people use the platform that I’ve created to express themselves and their talent," Joshua said.

"I know how much the people of Saudi are embracing boxing and health in general, not everyone wants to be a world champion. I gave them a chance to get on TV and hopefully, their parents will see and it will boost their morale. I’m here to fight, I wasn’t acknowledging that [the fans] with all due respect, I’m here to fight. This is my life. Talk is cheap.”

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Ngannou showed off more than Joshua during his open workout as coach Dewey Cooper put him through a short session on the pads. The 37-year-old then made an unintentional X-rated comment to DAZN presenter Olivia Buzaglo when he was interviewed after being in the ring.

"Are you going to stay around to watch Anthony Joshua do his open workout or have you watched enough of him in the build-up to this fight? I think he's going to be here in not much time," Buzaglo asked. Ngannou then responded: "I have something else to do... which is you," before adding: "Media!"

The winner of Joshua and Ngannou's showdown has been promised a shot at the undisputed world titles, which Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight for on May 18. Ngannou is seemingly hoping Fury gets past Usyk so they can meet again following their controversial fight last October, which Fury won by just a single point.

Harry Davies