Boxing

BOXING fans were left stunned by what they deemed a “flirty” comment after Francis Ngannou shocked a female reporter during a live TV interview.Ngannou, 37, will face Anthony Joshua, 34, in Saudi Arabia on Friday night as the two huge heavyweights come together in a blockbuster clash.Francis Ngannou shocked reporter Olivia Buzaglo with his comment in the live TV interviewCredit: TwitterBuzaglo responded to the clip on social mediaCredit: GettyMedia events have been taking place in Riyadh since the start of the week as big names from the world of sport flock to the Middle East.This culminated in Ngannou and Joshua being pictured alongside Tyson Fury and Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday.But it was a comment Ngannou made following his public workout earlier in the day that got many people talking on social media.The former UFC heavyweight champion was asked by reporter Olivia Buzaglo whether he will be sticking around to watch Joshua’s workout.READ MORE IN BOXINGTo which he replied: “I have something else to do… which is you.”Ngannou then appeared to say the word “media” when the microphone had been taken away from him.But many online thought he was flirting with the reporter.And Buzaglo, a Sky Sports presenter who previously worked for Chelsea TV, responded to a comment claiming Ngannou was “rizzing a reporter up” as she replied: “Ahahahahaha ffs 🤣🤣🤣.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBuzaglo made a name for herself on Chelsea TVCredit: PAShe has now taken a job with Sky SportsCredit: INSTAGRAM @oliviabuzagloOne fan said: “Can’t tell if he’s being very direct or it’s lazy flirting 😂.”While another replied: “The man knows what he wants I guess 🤣🤣.”Francis Ngannou practises bizarre punch he used against Tyson Fury in open workout ahead of Anthony Joshua clash And a third responded: “Did he just say ‘I have something else to do and it’s you?’ 😅😭”Ngannou, 37, shocked the boxing world by pushing Fury all the way on his professional boxing debut in October, dropping The Gypsy King before narrowly losing a split decision.Now Joshua is tasked with beating the MMA star in a more comprehensive manner as he eyes the winner of Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk on May 18.AJ has won his last three fights since suffering back-to-back defeats to Usyk.But Ngannou’s trainer, Dewey Cooper, sent a brutal warning to AJ ahead of the highly-anticipated fight.Cooper told Sky Sports: “In the Tyson Fury fight we told you guys he was going to at least drop him once.”We told you guys he could win the fight. We are men we mean our words. This is not poetry this is not fantasy, these are real words from a real person talking to you.”I know Anthony Joshua is you guy so you’re supposed to support him but just understand what he is up against.”He’s up against a man who have proven life wrong, from childhood all the way up. From working in the sand mines as a kid in Africa, to travelling on foot from Cameroon all the way to France.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Being trapped in the Sahara desert, he’s been through so many adversities it’s like a movie, and this chapter is not written – it will be written in Saudi Arabia on March 8.”And I see Francis Ngannou finishing Anthony Joshua.”ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT More

TYSON FURY was pictured alongside Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou AND Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.And The Gypsy King confirmed he wants the winner of Friday’s showdown between AJ and Ngannou after beating “rabbit” Oleksandr Usyk.(L-R) Anthony Joshua, Cristiano Ronaldo, Turki Alalshikh, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou pose for a picture togetherCredit: Instagram / tysonfuryANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTFury shared a snap of him smiling alongside Joshua, Ronaldo, Ngannou and Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh – the country’s Chairman of General Authority for Entertainment.Alongside the picture, he added the caption: “@turkialalshik @cristiano @francisngannou @anthonyjoshua With the GypsyKing 👑 #saudiarabia I want the winner after i smash the rabbit 🐰 @usykaa.”Al-Nassr star Ronaldo, 38, went to Fury’s fight with Ngannou in Saudi in October last yearAnd now the Middle East-based footballer has returned to the boxing scene yet again for this week’s colossal clash.READ MORE IN BOXINGThose on social media were blown away by the four sporting superstars being snapped together.One said: “This seems like some multi verse s**t.”Another added: “Insane picture. All working together. Love seeing this 👊🏼.”While a third replied: “AJ and Fury in one room all smiling wtf 😂😂😂.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJoshua, 34, faces off against Ngannou, 37, in Riyadh as he looks to move one step closer to a blockbuster clash with Fury.Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou made his professional boxing debut just five months ago and nearly shocked the world when he dropped Fury in a fight that had been billed as a mismatch. ‘Looks in f***ing amazing shape’, say fans as Tyson Fury shares clip of himself back in training & offer Usyk predictionThe MMA star went on to narrowly lose a split decision, but came out of the bout with tremendous credit.Now Joshua is tasked with beating Ngannou in a more convincing manner as he eyes the winner of the undisputed clash between Fury and Usyk on May 18.And AJ gave his prediction for Fury-Usyk earlier this week.Speaking to iFL TV, he said: “I think Usyk will win.”When pressed on who he wants to have their hand raised, he added: “It’s a great question. Probably Fury, logically, because it’s a bigger fight.”Well, that’s if he fights me, he always says he doesn’t want to fight. But it’s a bigger fight for me down the line if he wins.READ MORE SUN STORIES”That’s the only reason I would say Fury, for my own benefit. Very selfish reasons.”Joshua’s meeting with Fury comes just 24 hours after he met the WBC champion’s dad, John Fury, embracing him in a classy moment.Joshua and Ngannou will square off in Riyadh on Friday nightCredit: Alamy More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been sent a chilling warning by Francis Ngannou’s trainer ahead of their fight.The heavyweight pair are set to face off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday.Anthony Joshua has been sent a chilling warning by Francis Ngannou’s trainerCredit: GettyNgannou knocked down Tyson Fury in his first professional boxing fightCredit: GettyTrainer Dewey Cooper believes Ngannou will winAJ is the big favourite heading into the clash, which will be just Ngannou’s second professional bout.In his first he lost narrowly to Tyson Fury but gave the world champion a scare by knocking him down to the canvas.And his trainer Dewey Cooper believes Ngannou will go a step further by beating Joshua.He told Sky Sports: “In the Tyson Fury fight we told you guys he was going to at least drop him once.READ MORE IN BOXING “We told you guys he could win the fight. We are men we mean our words. This is not poetry this is not fantasy, these are real words from a real person talking to you.”I know Anthony Joshua is you guy so you’re supposed to support him but just understand what he is up against.”He’s p against a man who have proven life wrong, from childhood all the way up. From working in the sand mines as a kid in Africa, to travelling on foot from Cameroon all the way to France.”Being trapped in the Sahara desert, he’s been through so many adversities it’s like a movie, and this chapter is not written – it will be written in Saudi Arabia on March 8.Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”And I see Francis Ngannou finishing Anthony Joshua.”Ngannou is a former MMA champion and he could unleash a rarely-seen weapon against Joshua – his superman punch.The Sun’s Wally Downes Jr preview Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou fight week More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has opened up about the dangers of boxing, reflecting on the tragic death of young bantamweight Kazuki Anaguchi.Joshua, 34, is set to face UFC icon Francis Ngannou on Friday.Anthony Joshua has opened up about the dangers of boxingCredit: GettyAJ is set to fight Francis Ngannou on FridayCredit: GettyThe British heavyweight will be looking to continue his impressive run of form following wins against Otto Wallin, Robert Helenius and Jermaine Franklin.But he is not taking his position for granted.AJ exclusively told SunSport: “Still in it to win it. I enjoy it. I enjoy this sport a lot, not just for what all this stuff is but for the lifestyle it brings me, the mentality it’s shaped for me. “If I weren’t boxing I’d be quarter of the man I am, it’s made me really astute, intelligent, built my character, strong minded, strong-willed, it’s really helped me.READ MORE IN BOXING “So yeah, I will continue to do it for as long as possible because it’s a massive part of my identity, not boxing but for what it brings to me.”Despite his success at the highest level, Joshua still remains mindful of the risks that come with boxing.He continued: “It doesn’t take a lot out of me, it don’t, I promise you. “That guy died the other day, the Japanese boxer (Anaguchi). Somewhere in Asia, he died. It can happen, it can happen to the best of us.Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT “Health is important in this sport but that’s why you’ve got to train hard, that’s why you’ve got to train smart. “We spar a lot, that’s why you’ve got to be good, if you’re not good enough you shouldn’t do it because it’s so detrimental to your health.”EXCLUSIVE: Eddie Hearn ‘NERVOUS’ for Anthony Joshua’s clash with Francis Ngannou as ex-UFC champ could end Brit’s title hopes foreverAnaguchi passed away at the beginning of February at the age of 23, just over one month after suffering a brain injury.The Japanese bantamweight suffered a subdural hematoma during his fight against Seiya Tsutsumi on December 26 and was immediately rushed to hospital.He underwent emergency surgery but was unable to recover from his injuries.Ben Davison, AJ’s new trainer, has urged the Brit to respect Ngannou in the ring despite his lack of boxing experience.He told Sky Sports: “Treat him with the respect. Let’s not lose the sight of it. He had a split-decision loss to Tyson (Fury). Straightaway that puts him up among people that have really struggled with Tyson.”He showed composure, he showed patience, which are all things which become a threat when you can punch like that.”I think it’s easier to deal with a puncher when they’re a little bit reckless, a bit gung ho. They’re the novicey side of his game that we thought we would see – a lack of patience, a lack of composure. But those are things that he’s shown. So we’re treating him like a world-class heavyweight.”Ngannou suffered a controversial points defeat to Tyson Fury in October despite knocking the Gypsy King down.Kazuki Anaguchi tragically died last month after suffering a brain injury during a fightCredit: Rex More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has seemingly struck the unlikeliest of bromances with John Fury – the dad of his Brit rival Tyson.It seemed unfathomable that the pair would get on a few years ago given John and Tyson’s past public criticisms of the former two-time unified heavyweight champion.Anthony Joshua met John Fury for the first time in person last weekendCredit: GETTYThe pair had a warm embrace and waxed lyrical about one anotherCredit: GETTYFury has been nothing but pleasant about AJ in recent yearsCredit: GETTYThe dad of Tyson Fury even claimed AJ is the “finest man” in boxingCredit: GETTYJohn, however, has had a change of tune in recent years – publicly championing AJ and his bid to rise back to the summit of the heavyweight division.So their super-friendly interaction in Saudi Arabia ahead of Joshua’s showdown with Francis Ngannou on Friday night came as no surprise.The pair ran into each other at the fighter hotel and embraced before having a brief chit-chat, in which John was blown away by the size of the Watford warrior.After shaking hands, John – whose son Roman features on the undercard – told the assembled crowd: “He’s probably the finest man in boxing isn’t he?”READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd as AJ started shadowboxing, he said: “Get up there my boy.”After hearing John admit he was thrilled to finally meet him and seconds before another handshake, Joshua responded: “A pleasure to meet you as well, sir.”Joshua bumped into John a few moments later and revealed he’d love to have a sit down with his rival’s old man.The pair then admitted they’ve always “liked” one another before John claimed he could see AJ becoming a three-time world champion.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTWhile the interaction between AJ and John was heartwarming to most boxing fans, it could very well have riled up WBC heavyweight king Tyson.Tyson revealed in December 2022 that he was far from pleased with his dad being pally with his potential future opponent.Anthony Joshua says deaths in boxing make him train even harderHe told iFL TV: “He keeps blowing my dad off like, ‘Oh, I think John Fury’s a legend, he’s a top bloke.'”Whatever you’ve got going on with him, I don’t like it, sever ties with the old p. Man’s a p***y, s***house.”All of a sudden he’s my dad’s best friend, ‘Oh, I want to go out for a drink with John Fury.”I was like what the f***! Why doesn’t he want to go for a drink with me? “Because I would punch him in the mouth.”But John refused to bow down to The Gypsy King’s demands, saying: “I’d be privileged to go out for a drink with AJ.”I’m my own man, I say what I want to say. This is a sport, we’re in a boxing game, AJ is a nice kid.”John was full of nothing but praise for AJ after their Riyadh rendezvous, saying: “I’ve always liked Anthony Joshua.Tyson Fury isn’t too fond of his dad being pally with Anthony JoshuaCredit: AP”I’ve never said anything wrong about him. He is a great fighter, [an] Olympic gold medallist. “He’s done a lot for boxing, let’s not forget that.“And he’s a good fighter, and he will be a world champion again.“But I couldn’t get over how big he was, the man is a unit.“He’s always been a nice guy, respectful man. He showed me respect.“He was lovely. And it was heartfelt. I’ve got nothing but admiration and respect for Anthony Joshua.“It was a great moment for me.”John foresees AJ winning his lucrative desert dust-up with Ngannou, so long as he doesn’t get embroiled in a brawl with the former UFC champ.Anthony Joshua throws down with ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou on Friday nightCredit: GETTYHe told Sky Sports: “If he mixes it with a big puncher, Ngannou’s a unit, he’s had Tyson on the floor.”Tyson said he can really bang, probably the hardest he’s been in with including Deontay Wilder.”He’s got to be careful, but AJ has got the skillset, he’s got the power of himself.”And who knows, he has this effect on fighters, doesn’t he?READ MORE SUN STORIES”They just melt in front of him… don’t rule [out] and AJ knockout either.”But it’s gonna be AJ on points I think.”John Fury is tipping Anthony Joshua to score a points victory over Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY More