ANTHONY JOSHUA has vowed to fight fire with fire in a ‘straight up war’ against Francis Ngannou in Riyadh on Friday night.
Joshua takes on the 0-1 former UFC champion at the Kingdom Arena in what will be his fourth fight inside 12 months.
The two-time heavyweight champion won three times during 2023 and his vicious destruction of Otto Wallin in Saudi on December 23 led many to suggest that the ‘Old AJ’ is back, following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Ngannou, who lost his boxing debut via split decision to Tyson Fury in October, is adamant he is capable of knocking Joshua out on Friday and the Londoner insists he will be responding in kind.
“Will I fight fire with fire? 100 per cent,” Joshua said at Wednesday’s final press conference. “Let’s go. It’s not rocket science, the best man will always win.
“It will be just straight up war, relentlessness and a good fight, that’s what everyone is here for. One of the main things I’m looking forward to is showing how good I am.
“We’re not looking past this fight. This is my main focus, the incentives and all that stuff is not my concern. Just the win. Let’s focus on my game plan and do what I’ve got to do.”
Joshua was also asked whether he feels under pressure to deliver an explosive performance. He replied: “Always, always, always. It’s our duty to do what we’ve got to do. We are here to entertain them. But that’s my life, that’s what I’ve signed up to do. Bring every challenge, every competition and I’ll step up to the plate.
“I’ve been in the ring with Zhilei Zhang, I’ve shared the ring with Joseph Parker, I’m going to share the ring with Francis, one day I’ll share the ring with Tyson [Fury]. I signed to fight Big Baby Miller, I’ve sparred Daniel Dubois, I’ve signed to fight Bronze Bomber. I’m serious about the game. It’s what we do. It’s my duty to work for these guys and give them entertaining nights.”
Joshua’s coach Ben Davison has suggested that Ngannou will struggle to complete all 10 rounds given that he has only ever done that once in his life.
And the Cameroon born martial artist smiled when that quote was put to him.
“Yes, that’s true,” he said. “I struggle to do 10 rounds, and if anybody doesn’t struggle to do 10 rounds then you’re not human. Everybody gets tired after 10 rounds. I have no problem with that, I am here to learn.
“I’m just working, building and learning about the sport I’ve loved my entire life. I haven’t had the chance to get experience in it it is just now that I’m working on that. I trust the process and my team. I’m not going to leave any stone unturned or any opportunity unexplored.”
On Joshua’s fifth round stoppage of Wallin, Ngannou added: “It was a flawless performance, a great performance and I watched that fight closely. But it doesn’t do anything for me because I know I’m not Wallin. When we get in the ring, that’s when you know the fight.
“The reason I am here is because I believe in myself. That doesn’t mean I control the outcome, I believe in the fact I will go out there and do my best.”