Eddie Hearn Envisions Epic Showdown: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou
In a stunning turn of events, renowned promoter Eddie Hearn has publicly advocated for a clash between his fighter, Anthony Joshua, and the formidable Francis Ngannou. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion from Cameroon, recently shook the boxing world by nearly defeating WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a non-title bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Despite ultimately losing to Fury in a razor-thin split decision, Ngannou showcased his prowess by flooring the British champion in the third round, defying expectations that he would be out of his depth in the boxing ring. Now, other top contenders, including former two-time WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, are eager to step into the ring with Ngannou. Eddie Hearn has proposed an enticing idea of Joshua, who has Nigerian heritage, facing Ngannou in Africa, harking back to the iconic "Rumble in the Jungle" that occurred nearly 50 years ago. The potential matchup has captured the imagination of fight fans worldwide. Hearn remarked on "The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani," stating, "AJ against Francis Ngannou is absolutely massive. It's massive. Two giants next to each other. Who knows what's going to happen? I can't even believe we're debating this." Hearn believes that the financial incentives for Ngannou in the world of boxing could persuade him to forgo a return to MMA. The Matchroom Boxing boss is confident in the colossal revenue that a fight between Joshua and Ngannou could generate, potentially surpassing Ngannou's earnings from his bout against Fury. Initially, Joshua wasn't inclined towards what some might call a "gimmick fight." However, as Hearn pointed out, many skeptics perceived the Fury vs. Ngannou bout as farcical before it took place. Now, the discussion has shifted to the intriguing possibility of Francis Ngannou defeating Anthony Joshua. Hearn is willing to bet on it, saying, "Take my money, prove me wrong. [Ngannou] can punch, there's no doubt." Reflecting on Ngannou's performance against Fury, Hearn commended the former UFC champion's resilience and ability to absorb punches. He also suggested that Ngannou deserved the victory, opining, "I thought he won the fight. And for a debutant to beat the world heavyweight champion is just the most unbelievable feat." In the eyes of Hearn, Ngannou's unconventional style and his adeptness as a counterpuncher, occasionally adopting a southpaw stance, confounded Fury and earned him the respect of the boxing world. Hearn acknowledged the pressure Ngannou faced in this high-stakes debut, asserting that his ability to disrupt Fury's usual tactics was a testament to his brilliance. The prospect of an epic showdown between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou now looms large, captivating fight enthusiasts and leaving them eager to witness this potential clash of titans. Only time will tell if this extraordinary matchup will become a reality and redefine the boundaries between the worlds of boxing and MMA.
