Joshua's Title Shot on Hold! Ngannou Clash Won't Guarantee Undisputed Belt After WBC Clarification
Punching his way back to the top might not be enough to secure Anthony Joshua a world title shot. Despite the hype surrounding his upcoming clash with Francis Ngannou, the WBC has thrown cold water on the notion that the winner automatically earns a crack at the undisputed belts.
Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, faces the former UFC kingpin on March 8th in a highly anticipated crossover event. Both fighters were initially told the victor would get a shot at either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk's unified titles. However, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has injected a dose of reality, stating:
"The WBC already sanctioned Fury vs. Usyk and the rematch. We received the request and have already accepted a rematch if the promoters put it together... If the promoters change their request for the rematch, we will certainly address it."
Sulaiman explained. "Joshua has a sensational career, and if he beats Ngannou, he'll be number one in the WBC. The winner will be positioned for great things, but not necessarily an immediate title shot."
[caption id="attachment_5908" align="alignnone" width="1920"]
Anthony Joshua holding 4 belts[/caption]
This means the Joshua-Ngannou winner isn't guaranteed a title fight, leaving their future paths shrouded in uncertainty. While Sulaiman acknowledges Joshua's past achievements and potential rise to number one in the WBC rankings with a win over Ngannou, the immediate title picture remains firmly focused on Fury and Usyk's rematch.
Both Joshua and Ngannou seem unfazed by the ambiguity, prioritizing the fight itself over potential belts. Joshua declares, "Every fight leads to somewhere... I'm searching for greatness." Ngannou echoes this sentiment, expressing no immediate interest in title contention.
So, what does this mean for boxing fans? The Joshua-Ngannou fight is still a must-watch event, packed with explosive potential and the intrigue of two contrasting fighting styles colliding. However, the lack of a guaranteed title shot adds a layer of complexity, leaving fans to speculate on the next chapter for both boxers.
#AnthonyJoshua #FrancisNgannou #boxing WBC #TysonFury #OleksandrUsyk
