Anthony Joshua lets bitter rival know that he is the “top heavyweight in the UK.”
Anthony Joshua is drawing closer to his March 8th bout against Francis Ngannou in Riyadh Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24KOs) will be facing off against Francis Ngannou (0-1) in what will be the MMA convert'ssecond appearance in a boxing ring. The UFC legend first stepped through the ropes in October when he shocked the world, forcing Tyson Fury to box to an uncomfortable decision victory.
Speaking to Queensberry Joshua has made it clear that he has a point to prove, wanting to knock the Cameroonian out, doing what ‘The Gypsy King’ couldn’t.
“I am the top heavyweight in the U.K., and I am not really too concerned about the world. I am trying to conquer where I live. I just want to conquer here and let everyone know that I am the one who puts boxing on the map.”
It is not the only time in the past week Joshua has alluded to his rivalry with Fury. He spoke to DAZN, again claiming his superiority over his fellow Brit.
“Every opponent me and Fury have in common, I’ve knocked them out. Every opponent. I’ve never been in competition with him anyway in that sense, but if we are talking facts and stats – everyone we’ve both fought I’ve ended up breaking their face or knocking them out.”
While Joshua has the better finishes regarding their fights in common, both have beaten every man the other has faced. The 34-year-old’s date with Ngannou in March presents an opportunity for the Watford fighter to showcase a superior clinical skillset, with many fight fans seeing Ngannou as the rightful winner back in October.
Fury will also have a chance to get one-up over his British rival as in just under a month he will find himself sharing the ring with Oleksandr Usyk, a man who outpointed ‘AJ’ on two occasions. The winner will be crowned as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis earned the right to the name in 1999.
Lewis has publicly shared his views about the fight on Twitter, appearing sceptical as to the reasoning behind ‘AJ’ taking it in the first place.
“IMO, this fight adds ZERO credibility to ‘AJ’s’ resume. He’s SUPPOSED to win this fight and when he does, what does he gain or learn by beating someone in his second HW fight? If he loses, then it’s an absolute disaster. The same stood for Fury and it almost cost him everything.”
If ‘AJ’ can stick to his plan and bulldoze through Ngannou, – as the fight world is expecting him to do – then he could find himself within touching distance of perhaps his final chance of heavyweight Glory, with a fight against Filip Hrgovic for the IBF strap looking extremely likely following claims that the IBF will strip the winner of the undisputed showdown due to a rematch clause.