Spencer Fearon picks Anthony Joshua to stop Francis Ngannou in Saudi clash
Popular pundit Spencer Fearon broke down the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou heavyweight fight taking place on March 8 in Saudi Arabia.
The 50-year-old is a former professional boxer and boxing promoter, so is perfectly poised to discuss all aspects of the fight and the event.
He spoke in-depth to IFL TV on January 9 and began by justifying the match-up against a former MMA fighter and novice pro boxer with just one fight and loss on his record.
“What other fight could there be for Anthony Joshua to participate in?” the Londoner began. “I also realised the PFL, who Ngannou signed with, and they got their big link-up in Saudi Arabia; you meet Francis Ngannou and he’s genuinely a very nice man, his demeanour is cool, he’s very humble, he’s a man who’s very genuine.
“I’m a big believer in you reap what you sow, he’s a very positive human being, similar to Anthony Joshua, he’s pretty positive, but with Anthony Joshua things are more complex for him because he’s been thrusted into this massive spotlight.
“So what other fight could there be for Anthony Joshua to take? Let’s be realistic. You had Deontay Wilder, who has been a fantastic ambassador for boxing; sorry can I say for fighting because he hasn’t really demonstrated the finer arts of boxing; Joseph Parker has already been beaten by Anthony Joshua, even though this Joseph Parker Mark II under the tutelage of Andy Lee is a better Joseph Parker that fought Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua, but you already been beaten so the interest wouldn’t be that [high].
“Also which other fighters can there be for Anthony Joshua that can hold that market appeal. The King of Saudi Arabia is actually a fan of Franics Ngannou. Certain people might think it’s a smash and grab. Eddie Hearn has been hypercritical, because I remember how he rubbished [the fight with] Tyson Fury, and all of a sudden he’s now completely u-turned on that. But Eddie Hearn’s a promoter, and interest and finance makes for something great.
“What Francis Ngannou did on October 28 against Tyson Fury was absolutely incredible. I still don’t think he won the fight. It was a very, very flat Tyson Fury. But how could you get up for that fight? Because people rubbished it as a joke.”
The undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk was confirmed and announced for Tyson Fury just weeks before his last fight with Ngannou, further causing the Morecombe man to take his eye off the ball.
“That’s the worst thing to do. I remember Jim Watt saying he always hated it when fighters were preparing for a fight ahead… deal with the fight in hand.”
Spencer returned his attention back to the Joshua-Ngannou bout to preview how the heavyweight clash could go.
“He’s [Ngannou] a big specimen of a human being, but he’s lacking in the technical departments of boxing. And look at the guys who have given Anthony Joshua problems in his career. Even Carlos Takam gave Anthony Joshua trouble; them short, squat guys give him trouble. You give him someone around about his height, and you get a dangerous Anthony Joshua. Also, with the link-up now with Ben Davison, I can see an Anthony Joshua stoppage in about eight rounds.
“You can say ‘well here’s a man whose been kicked in the head and never been knocked out’, but I just think there’s a lot of body that’s been exposed and if Joshua can go downstairs properly, I can see Anthony Joshua stopping Francis Ngannou.”
‘Master Knowledge’ expanded his preview to argue that it’s not just technical ability, but also experience that will be conducive to an AJ win, despite starting boxing late at 18.
“The guys that have beaten him prior in Usyk and Ruiz, I think they’ve been in boxing a little bit longer than he has, and you can see it as well. In this fight here, Anthony Joshua’s the one with the experience.
“And you don’t win ABAs, you don’t win European silvers or Olympic gold medals if you don’t know how to fight. Irrespective that you’ve been inexperienced, I get it but it doesn’t mean you can’t fight and Anthony Joshua can fight. Especially now that I can see a new-found belief in him.
“What does Francis Ngannou do better than Anthony Joshua? I could be completely wrong, but I can see Anthony Joshua completely obliterating Francis Ngannou.”