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Is Anthony Joshua Scared of Francis Ngannou’s Punching Power? 2X Champ Speaks Up

Published 03/05/2024, 11:08 AM EST

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Can a man’s punch rival the force of a speeding van? Anthony Joshua, the two-time unified heavyweight champion, faces Francis Ngannou, the man with the world’s most formidable punch. Their clash is set for a spectacle in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The date is locked in – March 8. The arena anticipates the collision of two behemoths.

Ngannou, stepping fresh from his first boxing match against Tyson Fury, carries with him a punch that Dana White once famously characterized as “more powerful than a 12-pound sledgehammer from full-force overhead.” Oddly enough, Joshua seems unfazed, or so he projects. He claims it’s a win-win. Is it confidence or a calculated bluff?

Anthony Joshua laughs at the power out!

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In the heart of an eagerly awaited interview on Good Morning Britain, the air brimmed with anticipation as the discussion turned to the unmatched power of Francis Ngannou’s punch. The interviewer painted a vivid picture: “Nobody punches as hard as this guy. He’s got a world record strength of punch. I mean, it’s like being hit by a van at 50 miles an hour. Does that in any way make you apprehensive? Are you in any way frightened at all when you step into the ring knowing that if he connects you’ll, well I would say you’ll know about it actually you won’t know a thing you’ll be on the canvas?” This statement set the stage for Anthony Joshua to make his statement.

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Responding with a demeanor as cool as the calm before a storm, Joshua articulated his perspective with a blend of seriousness and a hint of humor. “Exactly, so what have I got to lose at the end of the day,” he mused, laying out his straightforward strategy with a twinkle of confidence in his eyes. He continued, I’ve got two options: one to avoid the punch or two to not even know the punch has happened. So it’s a win-win either way if I avoid or I don’t.

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While Joshua calls it a win-win, Ngannou’s coach has a warning for him about Ngannou’s power.

Ngannou’s gargantuan power poses a grave threat to Joshua

Dewey Cooper, Ngannou’s coach, didn’t mince words when he laid out the stark reality awaiting Anthony Joshua in the ring. He confidently reflected on past promises, reminding everyone, “In the Tyson Fury fight, we told you guys he was going to at least drop him once, that he could win the fight. We mean our words; this is not poetry, not fantasy.”

Highlighting the formidable challenge Joshua faces, Cooper emphasized Ngannou’s extraordinary capabilities: “He has gargantuan power… If he lands clean, bad things are going to happen for Joshua,” he told Sky Sports. His admiration for the Cameroonian-French fighter’s skill was evident as he praised his precision and mindset, predicting, “It’s going to be one heck of a fight.”

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Are we about to witness a historic moment that will be recounted for generations to come? What do you foresee in this clash of titans?

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Written by:

Mrinal Mishra

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One take at a time

Mrinal Mishra is a senior writer for Boxing at EssentiallySports. With over 1300+ articles to his name, Mrinal’s articles often find congratulatory mentions from boxing greats like Mia St. John.
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Edited by:

Gokul Pillai