Francis Ngannou thinks he’ll knock out Anthony Joshua

The odds could as soon as once more be stacked in opposition to him, however Francis Ngannou not solely expects to beat Anthony Joshua in his return to boxing, however he thinks he can end him.

The previous UFC heavyweight champion will return to the ring March 8 to box Joshua in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou is coming off a extremely aggressive break up resolution loss to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury this previous October. Ngannou knocked Fury down within the struggle, and lots of observers thought he did sufficient to get the decision in his professional boxing debut. In opposition to Joshua, Ngannou expects to get his hand raised – and sure earlier than the ultimate bell.

“I feel more than likely (I’m) knocking Anthony Joshua out,” Ngannou stated on The MMA Hour. “I feel that he’s simpler to go down than Fury. I imply, not that he’s not a robust fighter. He’s a really powerful fighter, however he’s simpler to ship down than Fury, and it’s more durable for him to get again up than Fury.”

Ngannou thought Joshua seemed good in his win in opposition to Otto Wallin in December, however he thinks Wallin didn’t pose a lot of a menace, one thing he can’t relate to.

“He seemed wonderful,” Ngannou stated of Joshua. “Congratulations to him. He was doing his job correctly. His velocity was there. He seemed sharp – very sharp. However alternatively, I feel there wasn’t a response in entrance of him.

“I feel I’ll have a greater response in entrance of him that may put him not in such snug positions and conditions. Issues will change. Issues will probably be completely different. I cannot stand there and simply take a look at him – no. It’s going to be completely different. I’m going to throw some bombs on the market, and he’s going to be aware of what he’s doing.”

Ngannou stated he presently is in Paris, however after a London information conferencenext week, he plans to relocate to Saudi Arabia for his coaching camp. As of now, he plans to work with the identical staff he labored with for the Fury struggle.

The 37-year-old stated he respects Joshua, however he’s assured he can get the job performed. Ngannou stated he’s simply getting began in boxing and expects to be a lot better this time round than in his debut.

“Nobody nonetheless is aware of what I can do,” Ngannou stated. “That was my first struggle in boxing. That was my first struggle. As anybody, I’m simply enhancing, and the hole of enchancment for a newbie like me, it’s large. I’m only a newbie enhancing.”