Anthony Joshua is not worried by Francis Ngannou’s belief that he will secure a stoppage.

The former unified heavyweight champion faces Ngannou on March 8 as the former UFC Heavyweight Champion has his second fight. Much has been said about Ngannou’s knockout power following his performance against Tyson Fury.

Despite losing a split decision, he floored the WBC Heavyweight Champion, sending him to the canvas in the third round. He continued to press the action and made it to the final bell in a performance where some felt he had been unjustly deprived of a victory. As he enters this fight, Ngannou spoke about his desire to test Joshua’s chin and promised to stop the Brit.

Ngannou vs Joshua

“I finished my training camp yesterday and I feel good. It has been a tough eight weeks to get here. I feel like I did everything that could be done. I believe if I land on anybody I knock them out. But the question is how to land, that is the hardest thing.

"How to carry that power and energy for 10 rounds and still be able to knock someone out after all the fatigue. I don’t have experience in boxing but, don’t make any mistake, I had a lot of experiencing in life, of fighting. [And] I view my fighting spirit as high as anybody else’s. I don’t have any (boxing) experience but I know I can fight. You’re born as a fighter, you don’t become a fighter, I do believe that,” Ngannou said

Joshua has now challenged Ngannou to back up those words. 

“I’m quite optimistic and brilliant. I want that. So, if I have someone in front of me that thinks they can knock me out, let’s see how good they really are because I’m going to be right in front of them making it as difficult as hell to achieve their goal. Let’s see how much they really want it. On March the 8th, it’s going to go down, and I can’t wait to have the opportunity to present my skills and combat this person that thinks they can knock me out. I prepare for twelve,” Joshua stated

Joshua Responds

Joshua has shown he can be stopped after losing to Andy Ruiz Jr. on his American debut. But since then, Joshua’s career has seen changes in his style. He abandoned his combination punching in favour of boxing and moving before reverting to a more aggressive style under Ben Davidson.

They worked together for their first fight against Otto Wallin as Joshua stopped the heavyweight in impressive style, making the southpaw quit on the stool. There is a perception that Joshua has reverted back to his front-foot style, increasing his confidence that he can stop Ngannou.

“I believe I can knock him out. Yeah, I would love to knock him out and make a statement,” Joshua added 

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