'Battle of the bodybuilders' – Anthony Joshua tells Laura Woods what fights with Deontay Wilder and Francis Ngannou would be like

14/12/2023 13:45

Anthony Joshua believes potential fights with Deontay Wilder and Francis Ngannou would be very similar.

The former heavyweight world champion is preparing to face Otto Wallin next weekend, on a show shared with Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia.

This comes after Ngannou boxed Tyson Fury in October through the same entity in Saudi, headed up by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, and their future plans involve Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk on February 17.

The heavyweight division finally appears to be opening up following Saudi Arabia’s investment, bring many of the top fighters in the division together under one roof.

It’s reported that this will lead to Joshua vs Wilder on March 9 and AJ is also open to facing Ngannou and Fury in future.

The MMA star shocked the boxing world by flooring Fury and, although he ultimately lost by a close split decision, came away from the bout as the moral victory in many fans’ eyes.

Asked how a potential fight with Ngannou would play out, Joshua told Laura Woods for TNT Sports: “War.

“First man to land, [the other] is going out. The battle of the bodybuilders.”

And when given the same question about Wilder he replied: “It would be the same as Ngannou.”

Regarding the comparison of Ngannou and Wilder’s famous power, AJ added: “I don’t know, in heavyweight boxing, every heavyweight hits differently.

“Some have got a thudding power, some have got a slapping power, some have got a punch that you don’t even see coming.

“It’s a variety so I think they’d be so different, I don’t know.”