Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are finally set to meet, presuming they each come through low-risk warm-up fights unscathed.
Now, Francis Ngannou, who has faced both men, has updated his prediction ahead of the biggest fight in British boxing history.
Ngannou made his boxing debut against then reigning WBC heavyweight ruler Fury in October 2023, and the former UFC heavyweight champion impressed as he knocked ‘The Gypsy King’ down in the third round, before losing a controversial split-decision.
That performance earned the Cameroonian a shot at Joshua, but ‘AJ’ was less forgiving and displayed the difference between a multi-disciplined fighter and an out-and-out boxer, brutally dispatching of ‘The Predator’ inside two rounds.
Although, despite the nature of those defeats, Ngannou was unsure on how Joshua-Fury would play out, when asked on the potential fight a few weeks ago.
“I think it’s a great fight. How it’s going to go? It’s the fight game – nobody knows what will happen.
“They are both elite fighters, but we all know how tricky Fury can be. He’s managed to be very hard to beat.”
However, now that fight rumours have turned into a signed agreement, Ngannou gave a more analytical prediction to Sky Sports Boxing, believing that Fury has a better chance the longer the fight lasts.
“At this level, I think it is very close, everybody can win. It depends on how the fight goes. I think, if it is going to go to a decision, I will pick Fury. If it is like a knockout, I think that Joshua has a chance early in the rounds [fight], but as far as the fight goes, it is going to be more in Fury’s favour.”
Joshua returns to the ring on July 25, against Albania’s Kristian Prenga, whilst Fury is also seeking a ‘tune-up’ of his own ahead of their long-awaited showdown.
