Boxing Video: Anthony Joshua & Francis Ngannou Face Off for the First Time Ahead of Riyadh Fight
Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou have finally come face to face in anticipation of their March 8 clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two heavyweight titans had their ceremonial face-off on January 15:
Both Joshua and Ngannou are estimated to be between 6'4" and 6'6", each weighing upwards of 250 lbs. Ngannou should have the weight advantage in their fight, as the French-Cameroonian weighed in at 272.1 lbs. against Tyson Fury at "The Battle of the Baddest" in October 2023. By comparison, Joshua last weighed 251 lbs. against Otto Wallin. Ngannou could be looking at a 20 lbs. weight advantage come fight night.
Professional heavyweight boxing isn't limited by weight, unlike the UFC. In the UFC, heavyweight has a limit of 265 lbs., in boxing there is no limit, so fighters like Jarrell Miller can compete at 333 lbs., or "Butterbean" at over 400. This benefits Ngannou, as he found most of his success against Fury by using his superior infighting, strength and clinch skills.
"The Predator" was able to use his MMA experience to nullify the wet-blanket offense Fury uses to wear his opponents down. It could be seen a lot when Fury tried to clinch Ngannou and Ngannou responded with a forearm frame which he used to pivot away from Fury and land counter offense.
What makes Joshua vs. Ngannou enticing, however, is that "AJ" shouldn't struggle in the same areas that Fury did. The Brit is a selective power puncher who seeks to break his opponents down before finding their off-button.
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