Anthony Joshua insisted that he will be bringing ‘relentlessness’ in his Friday fight with Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia at Wednesday night’s press conference ahead of the fight.
The British heavyweight star faces the former UFC icon on Friday night as he looks to continue momentum following an impressive performance against Otto Wallin last time out.
In his way stands an MMA legend who took Tyson Fury the distance in his first ever boxing match, and now looks to take on another of the world’s best heavyweights in the form of Joshua.
Yet while Joshua’s camp insisted that Ngannou had surprised many with his performance against the Gypsy King, he had perhaps lost something of the ‘element of surprise’ and their charge was as a result better prepared for it.
Joshua remained laid back in Wednesday’s press conference, appearing relaxed and upbeat, not being drawn into any tense exchanges of words, but promised that he would deliver on Friday night.
Anthony Joshua appeared laid back on Wednesday night but promised he would deliver on Friday
Cameroonian fighter Ngannou hinted that there was plenty more to come from him when he perfects the transition into boxing
When asked about his preparation, Joshua said: ‘All will be revealed, straight up war, relentlessness and a good fight. That’s what everyone’s here for – a good fight.’
With the ever-present prospect of a clash with compatriot Fury never seeming to leave Joshua’s career trajectory, there has of course been speculation that a win over Ngannou could bring that titanic collision a step closer to reality.
However, Joshua insisted that his attention was firmly fixed on Friday night, and he was not looking past the task at hand.
‘We’re not looking past this fight,’ he said. ‘The incentives and stuff, it’s just to win, to focus on my game plan and focus on what I’ve got to do.
‘It was always his [Francis] dream to be a boxer, he was part of the Cameroonian team and only started MMA when he was 26. He’s been doing it from a young age, I know what I’m up against.
‘I spar, I do my film studying and keep it professional. But on the night, that textbook goes out the window, you’ve got to be relentless.
‘This [entertaining] is what I’ve devoted my life to so bring every challenge, every competition and I’ll step up to the plate. One day I’ll share the ring with Tyson – I’m serious about the game.
‘The best man will always win, it’s not rocket science. One of the main things I’m looking forward to is showing how good I am. People find out when they’re in the ring, but we’ll see. Friday will soon come, I’m looking forward to it and the occasion.’
Joshua promised his rival that he would be bringing ‘all-out war’ on Friday in Saudi Arabia
Ngannou admitted he had struggled with the step up to 10 rounds against Tyson Fury but suggested that there still plenty to come from him long-term
While keeping his cards close to his chest, Joshua still revealed that he had been studying Ngannou intently
Ngannou has been something of a surprise entity since arriving in the world of boxing, with many initially having written him off.
The Cameroonian fighter admitted that he had struggled to adapt to the much longer fight-times – he went 10 rounds with Fury, with his longest MMA fight only five rounds of five minutes long.
But after praising Joshua’s ‘flawless’ fight against Wallin last time out, he hinted that there was still plenty to come from him in the long-term.
‘I think I haven’t shocked the world yet,’ The Predator said. ‘I’m still in the ‘factory’, training, learning. When I really get it, that’s when I think the world is really gonna be shocked.
‘I think I trust the process and the work that we’re putting in, so it’s gonna pay off.’
He added: ‘I’m gonna leave everything in that ring on Friday night to come away with the win.’
‘Good luck on Friday night. Respect, I’ll see you there.’
While his exchanges with Joshua were good-natured, Fury – who was in the crowd – had a tense back-and-forth with the former MMA star.
Fury was in the crowd in Saudi Arabia and had a tense exchange of words with Ngannou
The British heavyweight champion was vocal from the crowd after Ngannou took to the stage, and after a terse exchange the Cameroonian warned Fury what might happen if the two met outside the ring.
‘Your only chance is in the boxing ring with boxing rules – when you step out, you best keep five metres away, because if I lose it, you’re going to have a really bad time,’ he said.
‘No problem, any time,’ Fury retorted.
But Ngannou had the last word, saying: ‘Without that [the rules of boxing] you are nothing in front of me. I will beat you every day of the week, and twice on Sunday.’