Anthony Joshua could panic vs. Francis Ngannou, analyst says

Dan Hardy likes Francis Ngannou’s probabilities towards Anthony Joshua.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou (0-1) takes on former heavyweight boxing champion Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) in a 10-round boxing match March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ngannou battled Tyson Fury to an in depth break up determination in his boxing debut this previous October, when he was capable of knock down the WBC champ.

Ngannou’s efficiency shocked the fight sports activities world, however Hardy stated Joshua is aware of what he’s up towards now.

“That is the profit in AJ going second,” Hardy instructed TNT Sports activities Boxing. “There isn’t the shock issue round Ngannou. In fact, you must count on him to have made enhancements, however the large shock was how he was going to look the primary time. AJ is aware of that now. The opposite factor, as effectively, AJ will not be going to indicate up midway by a coaching camp not totally ready.

“He’s going to provide Ngannou all the respect he deserves. So, I count on a really supremely conditioned Anthony Joshua that’s fairly cautious. He’s going to be working behind his lead hand, and he’s going to be preserving that rear hand tremendous tight to his chin. I don’t suppose he’s going to step exterior of himself an excessive amount of till he actually looks like he’s obtained a superb learn on Ngannou.”

Joshua went 3-0 in 2023, capping off the yr with a fifth-round TKO of Otto Wallin in December. With Ngannou capable of stun Fury with a knockdown, Hardy expects his energy to pose even greater issues for Joshua.

“Tyson is a way more tough individual to hit than AJ,” Hardy stated. “For me, AJ pushes rather well behind his jab, however he leaves himself in vary. That’s the place the counter punches for Ngannou, even when they’re touchdown on the guard, I nonetheless suppose he’s going to have the ability to rock him and transfer him round, after which, after all, the psychological influence of, ‘My goodness, this man hits actually laborious.’

“Then you definately clinch up with him, and he’s extremely robust, as effectively. There are a pair completely different moments in these opening rounds the place AJ might actually begin to panic when he realizes what he’s up towards, and I don’t suppose he’s obtained the composure that Tyson needed to at the least maintain it collectively for 10 rounds.”

Hardy is choosing Ngannou to upset Joshua.

“I assumed Tyson was going to do the final one, and I nonetheless really feel like Ngannou gained that struggle,” Hardy stated. “I really feel prefer it’s a way more winnable struggle for Ngannou, and I’m going to again him on this one.”