Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed unwavering confidence in former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua’s upcoming clash with MMA veteran Francis Ngannou. The fight, set to occur on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has generated significant buzz, especially following Joshua's recent victory over Otto Wallin and Ngannou’s formidable presence in the MMA world.
Hearn, in a recent interview with The MMA Hour, revealed the behind-the-scenes dynamics that led to the Joshua-Ngannou matchup. Initially, plans were in place for Joshua to face former WBC champ Deontay Wilder, but an unexpected turn of events occurred when Joseph Parker defeated Wilder in a unanimous decision. This upset shifted the focus towards a new, equally thrilling matchup. “As soon as the fights finish, he’s like, ‘Right, let’s talk.’ And we had a meeting and I said to him, ‘I think [Francis Ngannou] is the biggest fight out there,’” Hearn recounted.
The decision to pivot to Ngannou was fueled by both the fighters’ physical prowess and their reputation as devastating punchers. Hearn has long believed that a bout between Joshua and Ngannou would be a major draw, given their impressive physiques and boxing skills. This sentiment was shared by Turki Alalshikh, who moved quickly to make the fight a reality.
Hearn’s optimism is bolstered by Joshua’s dominant performance against Wallin, who previously gave Tyson Fury a challenging fight. Hearn reflected on Fury's struggle against Wallin, noting the severe cut Fury received, which nearly led to Wallin’s victory. In contrast, Joshua’s match against Wallin was a mismatch in Hearn’s view, with Joshua demolishing his opponent decisively. This recent victory has set the stage for Joshua to face Ngannou, with Hearn anticipating a similar display of dominance.
“Obviously we just boxed a guy in Otto Wallin that really gave Fury a really tough time... But it is what it is, and AJ went out and it was a mismatch. He demolished [Wallin]. And I believe we’re going to do the same here,” said Hearn, underscoring his belief in Joshua’s ability to overpower Ngannou.
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