talkSPORT betting tips – Best boxing bets and expert advice for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou
07/03/2024 15:37
Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou headline a sensational night of action in Saudi Arabia on Friday night. The heavyweights look set for what could be an explosive contest and it's an interesting betting heat too.
Joshua is a former two-time unified world heavyweight champion and has a wealth of boxing experience, while Ngannou is a novice having only his second professional in the squared circle.
But the Predator has been well supported in the betting and the 37-year-old is just 11/4 to win in Riyadh.
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Ngannou ready to shock the boxing world
Tyson Fury is arguably the best heavyweight on the planet. The Gypsy King is the unbeaten WBC world champion and the Morecambe man will have the opportunity to be crowned the undisputed ruler of the division when he takes on Oleksandr Usyk in May.
Fury isn't fighting on Friday night, but Ngannou, the man that dropped the Gypsy King in the third round when the pair clashed in Saudi Arabia in October is in action, when he takes on Joshua in Riyadh.
The Predator can be considered extremely unfortunate not to get the decision of the judges in a battle that had the imperious Fury clinging on after being badly hurt. That looks the key piece of form when evaluating the 37-year-old's prospects against Joshua and his chances appear to be quite considerable.
It's easy to argue that Fury was not at his best when meeting Ngannou in October, but there is little evidence to suggest that was the case and it's more likely that the Gypsy King was hurt by a powerful opponent and subsequently forced into survival mode.
It's also worth considering that the Predator may well improve from that contest, perhaps not in skill and ability, but certainly in confidence that he has the power and punch resistance to be effective in the boxing ring.
Power is Joshua's kryptonite, AJ was dropped four times in defeat to Andy Ruiz, he fell to the canvas against Wladimir Klitschko and he was hurt in contests against Usyk and Dillian Whyte.
The Watford fighter will hope that his own heavy-hitting punches will keep Ngannou at bay, but the Cameroonian was able to walk through the best shots of Fury with little effect and AJ is an easy target to hit.
Perhaps Joshua's skill and experience will keep Ngannou at range, but at the prices, the Predator looks excellent value to stop the vulnerable Brit.
Francis Ngannou to win by stoppage @ 7/2
Toe-to-toe tussle could end early
It looks pretty certain that Ngannou will push forward in an upright, wide-guard stance and attempt to go toe-to-toe with Joshua.
AJ may have designs on keeping the bout at range, by deploying his superior boxing skills, but those tactics cut little ice for Fury and the relentless approach of the Predator could see this bout end before the start of the seventh round.
Under 6.5 rounds @ Evens
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