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      ‘I know I’m gonna see him one day’ – Anthony Joshua calls out reporter in press conference after KO of Francis Ngannou

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA jokingly took aim at a mixed martial arts reporter after his knockout of Francis Ngannou.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion locked horns with the MMA man mountain in a lucrative crossover clash in Saudi Arabia early on Saturday morning.Anthony Joshua locked horns with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou in SaudiCredit: REUTERSAJ brutally knocked out the MMA man mountain in the second round of their Riyadh rumbleCredit: GETTYJoshua jokingly called out MMA reporter Mike Bohn in the post-fight press conferenceCredit: YOUTUBE@MATCHROOMBOXINGCanadian Bohn took the light-hearted ribbing wellCredit: X@MIKEBOHNAJ gave the former UFC heavyweight king a brutal reminder of the levels of the Sweet Science with a vicious second-round KO in their Riyadh rumble.The Watford warrior fielded questions from the assembled media in the post-fight press conference and was quick to recognise the voice of one of the reporters in attendance.Shortly MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn began asking him a question, AJ asked: “Did you interview Ngannou? “I recognise your voice. Was it like a one-on-one interview?READ MORE IN BOXING”Yeah, I recognise your voice. You thought he was going to beat me, innit?”I could tell by the question, I could tell by the questions you were asking.”After Eddie Hearn revealed to Joshua the outlet Bohn worked for, Joshua broke into laughter and said: “Is he MMA Junkie?”See what I’m saying? I know. His outlet is MMA Junkie, I can recognise that voice.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I was thinking, ‘Whoever this guy is, I know I’m gonna see him one day.’ I tell people, ‘I watch everything. I study everything.'”Veteran reporter Bohn took the playful ribbing well and reflected on it on X.AJ Celebrates huge knockout win over Francis NgannouThe Canadian wrote: “Anthony Joshua just called me out at the post-fight presser for being the MMA guy in the room.”He then added on Instagram: “Fair play.”Victory over Ngannou was Joshua’s third stoppage in his last four fights since back-to-back defeats to former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.Immediately after having his hand raised, he said: “This is the thing with boxing, it only takes one shot in the heavyweight division.”You should always keep searching for better.”For me, I don’t know if I’m coming into my peak, I’m pushing day by day.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Who knows where it will take me. “Imagine in five years I won’t be fighting any more, this will all be said and done, so I’m trying to make the most of it.” More

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      Fans spot Ngannou’s disastrous tactical tweak that they’re convinced caused second-round KO loss to Anthony Joshua

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      BOXING fans are convinced Francis Ngannou’s “appalling” decision to switch to southpaw is what led to his humiliating loss to Anthony Joshua.Joshua, 34, battered Ngannou, 37, in just two rounds with a devastating right hand that knocked the UFC legend’s lights out in Saudi Arabia.Fans are convinced Francis Ngannou’s tactical switch cost him against Anthony JoshuaNgannou went southpaw after being knocked down by JoshuaNgannou was knocked out by Joshua soon after changing his stanceFans were left shocked by the Cameroonian superstar’s poor performance against AJ after taking undefeated megastar Tyson Fury to the limit last year.However, some were not that stunned as they are convinced the UFC great didn’t do his homework ahead of his blockbuster clash against the British bruiser.Fans insist Ngannou’s decision to switch his fighting stance just after being knocked down by Joshua in the second round was what led to his undoing.They were also left baffled with that tactical tweak as the Watford star only recently locked horns twice with arguably the best southpaw in the world in Oleksandr Usyk.Read More on BoxingOne fan tweeted: “WHY DID NGANNOU SWITCH STANCES!!”Another commented: “As soon as Ngannou went southpaw AJ landed a perfect right hand. Those 24 rounds with Usyk have PAID OFF.”A third posted: “Don’t switch southpaw again Ngannou.”This fan said: “I have no clue why he went southpaw. AJ just recently fought the best southpaw on earth and Ngannou definitely doesn’t move like him.”Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL And that one said: “Why on earth did Ngannou go southpaw? Appalling decision nearly got his head taken clean off.”Joshua could get his chance to lock horns with Usyk again after beating Ngannou.Paris Fury looks horrified as Francis Ngannou collapses to floor after he’s brutally knocked out by Anthony JoshuaThat is of course if the Ukrainian superstar beats Fury in their undisputed clash on May 18.However, a dream match with the Gypsy King is also back on the table provided that the Mancunican heavyweight ends Usyk’s undefeated streak in two months. More

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      Fans cry ‘this sport is finished’ after Love Island star Tommy Fury calls out UFC legend Conor McGregor for boxing fight

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      TOMMY FURY has called out Conor McGregor off the back of Jake Paul’s fight with Mike Tyson. Paul and Tyson are set to collide in a controversial clash on July 20 at the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Texas. Tommy Fury called out Conor McGregorCredit: X/@DAZNBoxingMcGregor is the latest UFC star called out by a boxerCredit: GettyIt leaves Fury – who beat the YouTuber-turned boxer last year – denied of a big-money rematch. So he instead told DAZN: “I’m looking to get this injury out the way nice and recovered and I have just seen that Jake Paul will face Mike Tyson next.”So how about me and McGregor next, how’s that? I need a comeback fight and I’d like for my return. So McGregor, get in touch.”But fans were not impressed as one said: “The “sport” is a joke.” READ MORE IN BOXINGAnother added: “This sport is finished.” Fury, 24, underwent hand surgery after beating Paul’s arch rival KSI, 30, via disputed decision in October.And he called to rematch Paul, 27, upon his return next year. But he will be made to wait after the American announced his shock showdown with 57-year-old heavyweight Tyson. Most read in BoxingCredit: The SunCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIron Mike officially retired in 2005 but did come back for an eight-round exhibition against Roy Jones Jr four years ago which ended in a draw.His bout with Paul is not yet confirmed to be an exhibition or a professionally sanctioned fight – but Fury slammed is nonetheless. Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson confirmed with ‘biggest fight of the 21st century’ to be shown live on Netflix He told Boxing King Media: “The guy is nearly 60 and I mean, he’s probably the biggest name in boxing that there was but the man is also 60.”I don’t know what kind of conditioning he’s in, I know he looks great but you never really know. “A 26-year-old against a 60-year-old, it doesn’t float my boat. Jake Paul is doing what Jake Paul’s doing, i’m in the recovery process and that’s it.” More

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      Tyson Fury leaks ‘ungrateful f***er’ Francis Ngannou’s fight purse that was SIX times his whole UFC career earnings

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      TYSON FURY has revealed how much Francis Ngannou pocketed from their bout before labelling him an “ungrateful f***er”.The UFC champion switched the octagon for the ring back in October for their heavyweight clash.Tyson Fury believes Francis Ngannou should be thanking him for his huge paydayCredit: InstagramFrancis Ngannou wants a rematch with the Gyspy KingCredit: AFPHe knocked Fury to the canvas in his first boxing fight – but the Gypsy King still won via a split decision.Ngannou now faces Anthony Joshua tonight – but his war with Fury is far from over.The duo clashed during the pre-fight press conference after the 35-year-old WBC belt holder heckled from the crowd to say he would win if they fought again.Ngannou hit back, saying he wants a second chance to “wipe the ring with his a***” and only boxing rules stopped him leaving Fury battered and bruised.READ MORE IN BOXINGHis comments angered his rival, who added further fuel to the fire.Fury said: “All of his UFC career, he made about $1million.”I made him – it was about $6m or $7m.”So he should be grateful really – instead I’ve had to tell him off in front of a load of people.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”He’s having a lot to say on camera after I’ve given him his biggest payday by about a million times.”I don’t know, just like he’s an ungrateful f***er.”Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou go at each other during AJ vs Ngannou presser – former UFC champ tells Fury I’ll wipe the ring with you a**Fans were convinced Fury looked sheepish after Ngannou’s menacing warning at the press conference.Ngannou said: “I’m going to wipe the ring with your a*** again – there was blood in the ring.”Your only chance is in the boxing ring with boxing rules, when you step out the ring you better stay five metres away because if I lose it, you’ll have a really bad time my friend.”Respect the fact boxing rules are protecting you, because you are nothing in front of me. “I’ll beat you every day, twice on Sunday.” More

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      I will never let my son box – there would be a target on his back straight away, says Anthony Joshua

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      JOSEPH BAYLEY TEMILOLUWA PRINCE JOSHUA will not be allowed to inherit his dad’s world heavyweight crown.Two-time king Anthony Joshua raced out of Saudi Arabia in December — after scorching Otto Wallin — to treat his eight-year-old son to Christmas in Dubai. On Boxing Day, he shared a snap of them posing in a pool.Anthony Joshua doesn’t want his son to follow in his footsteps in boxingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/healthy_mindset/Joshua is set for a big boxing fight against MMA legend Francis NgannouCredit: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyjoshua/Joshua doesn’t want his son to experience the same dark moments he did in the ringCredit: PAIn October his lad will turn nine and be old enough to train in amateur gyms — like AJ’s favourite Finchley ABC school. A year later he can  spar and enter competitions.But 34-year-old AJ — who did not lace up a pair of gloves until he was 18 — will not let his son follow him into the hurt business.Joshua declared: “I would never let him box. I am not interested in him boxing.“You have to be so strong, you have to be so strong mentally to be a boxer.Read More on Boxing“I am not saying he won’t be mentally strong but I would not want to put him through that ­mental pressure.“I am sure he could fight, he will definitely have the genes to do it.“But the mental side, that goes unspoken about, I would not want him to go through that.“Imagine ‘Anthony Joshua’s son is boxing’ . . . there would be a target on his back straight away. Would I want to put him under that pressure? Probably not.Most read in Boxing“I will advise him that he could probably still do something completely different and still enjoy life.“During your career, when you are actually competing, you get the odd nice ten days, like that one in the swimming pool. But in the back of your head is always the next fight that is coming up.”Did you spot the subtle change Francis Ngannou made to taunt Anthony Joshua during intense face-off?Joshua takes on MMA monster Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Friday.The Watford hero suffered a Saudi breakdown when he lost for the second time to Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022 — failing to recapture the WBA, IBF and WBO belts he lost to the Ukrainian in London 11 months earlier.CHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Defeat dashed Joshua’s dream of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champ since Lennox Lewis in 1999.He threw his old belts on the Jeddah floor and hijacked Usyk’s post-fight speech before storming out of the ring.Those frantic moments were fairly criticised.But, in the press conference afterwards, the former bricklayer broke down and cried because he felt he had let down people in the UK.Joshua admitted: “I was in a bad place — not a bad place, a bad moment.“I had put so much into becoming undisputed  and I just fell short. The feeling was not good and I had to pick myself back up again.Great highs and great lows“I changed trainer after that and had a mix-and-match of everything going on.“It took me  a year-and-a-bit to smooth things out and now we are just getting back to basics again.”In his last fight, a dominant Joshua stopped Wallin in five rounds. He added: “I felt back to normal against Wallin.“It’s a tough industry because I put everything into the Wallin fight and now it is just in the past.“You get there, you do your best, everyone is watching and then it’s over and on to the next.”That constant scrutiny and the sad fact that one attention-seeking critic can often shout over all the measured and considered praise, are two of the reasons why Joshua will keep his boy out of the ring and the spotlight.’This job is not fun’He added: “This job is not fun. I get to enjoy showcasing my skill on Friday but to get to that point is not fun.“It’s a lot of sacrifice, a lot of passion and dedication, it takes a lot out of you.“I’ll have to wait for 15 years to get  to the end of my career and think, ‘F***, I got through all that, now let me go and have fun now’.“JJ could live a good life — from the day he is conscious of what that means. I have to wait until I retire before I can sit back and finally enjoy life.”Joshua did not enjoy Tuesday night when he had to sit down at a private dinner and pose for photos with Ngannou and nemesis Tyson Fury.The 35-year-old WBC champ is a constant thorn in AJ’s side with insults and trash talk. But the Gypsy King has actually HELPED his long-time rival recently.Fury’s unexpected helpFirst, Joshua has picked up with Fury’s old trainer Ben Davison.And, second, Fury was floored and only earned a split-decision points win over Ngannou when the Cameroon bruiser made his boxing debut here in October.Recalling that bout, Joshua said: “It definitely helps. It helped get me motivated for the fight.“Before I looked at this whole crossover thing as not serious.“Before, if I had taken a crossover fight, people would have asked, ‘What the f*** is Anthony Joshua doing?’ I wouldn’t have been able to walk out of my house.“But now people are taking it more seriously because of that fight.Ngannou’s incredible journey“It has helped to get me motivated and has given me more reason to take the fight.“I can show how great I am and what I can do in the ring.”Ngannou’s story is a magnificent one, from child labour in a Cameroon sand mine to becoming one of the most celebrated and richest men in prize fighting.The 37-year-old former UFC heavyweight king is a genetic freak who looks like he was made by computer gamers.Ngannou stands 6ft 4in, has thighs like tree trunks, a neck that resembles a human torso and a bowling ball head seemingly impervious to shock treatment.ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTHe weighs 21 POUNDS more than Joshua, too, scaling 19st 7lb yesterday, compared to AJ’s 18st. But Joshua, who has suffered painful losses against smaller men like Andy Ruiz Jr and Usyk,  prefers chopping fellow behemoths like 6ft 7in September KO victim Robert Helenius.He explained: “Little fellas have been fighting big guys their whole life, so they just know what to do at the click of a finger.“As a bigger guy you usually fight guys your height. I have fought all different guys but, yeah, I seem to get better knockouts against guys my height.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Look at the performances against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius. One shorter guy who was smaller and nimble against a tall guy I found it easier to hit with.“Ngannou is big and tall and I know what I have to do.” More

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      Francis Ngannou’s anticipated MMA return date REVEALED ahead of massive Anthony Joshua boxing fight

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU is set to return to the cage THIS YEAR – depending on how his mega-money business in the boxing ring plays out. The ex-UFC champion last year put his cage career on hold to cross over to the boxing ring. Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou ahead of their boxing boutCredit: GettyBut he did so after signing for UFC’s rivals the Professional Fighters League, who gave Ngannou the green light to box. The Cameroonian takes on Anthony Joshua tomorrow night in Saudi Arabia just five months after making his ring debut against Tyson Fury. And while training in Riyadh, he watched from ringside as Renan Ferreira knocked out Ryan Bader. It earned Ferreira the right to welcome back Ngannou to the cage with the PFL once he is done with British superstar AJ. PFL founder Donn Davis told SunSport: “Francis is our partner, we always work with his schedule. “He wants to become the Bo Jackson of combat sports; champion in boxing, champion in MMA, so we’ll work with his schedule. “It could go earlier or it could go later but he will face “La Problema” – who destroyed Bader who is a savvy Bellator veteran. “Destroyed him in 21 seconds and he was really out in eight. That’s the next fight for Francis whether it’s in the summer or whether it’s the end of the year.Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”We’ll work with that boxing schedule with whatever happens 48 hours from now when he probably knocks out Joshua.” Ngannou, 37, dropped Fury, 35, on his boxing debut but suffered a controversial split-decision loss. Did you spot the subtle change Francis Ngannou made to taunt Anthony Joshua during intense face-off?Fury now faces Oleksandr Usyk, 37, for the undisputed crown on May 18 having pulled out of their initial February 17 date with a cut. The winner between Joshua, 34, and Ngannou, 37, have been promised a shot at the unified champ. But whatever the results in the ring, Ngannou WILL be back in the cage within the next year. Davis added: “If not this year, two months after. We’ll call it Feburary 2025. “In the next 12 months, 100 per cent Francis is a PFL cage fighting Ferreira.”PFL owner Donn Davis with Francis Ngannou More

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      ‘I thought, “f***ing hell,”‘ says shocked Anthony Joshua after Tyson Fury ‘started on Francis Ngannou at dinner party’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA thought “f***ing hell” when he heard Tyson Fury was starting on Francis Ngannou.Back in October, 35-year-old WBC champ Fury did 10 rounds with the MMA monster on his boxing debut and narrowly snatched a split-decision win after being dropped.Anthony Joshua was left shocked by Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou’s confrontationCredit: GettyFury had a heated confrontation with Ngannou in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyNgannou revealed he issued a chilling warning to FuryCredit: GettyOn Tuesday night in the Riyadh desert, as part of the AJ vs Ngannou fight week, Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh hosted a dinner with all of Friday’s boxers – plus the hyped-up Gypsy King.The 34-year-old Watford legend had to pose for a photo with his Morecambe nemesis but missed Fury’s most wild antics and was stunned to hear he tried to start a row with the 19st kickboxing and submission machine.“I wasn’t there when Fury was kicking off,” he explained about Fury fuming that Ngannou had called him a coward after their bout.“I just heard he was stepping to Ngannou and thought ‘f***ing hell’.Read More on Boxing“But apparently it was proper, he refused his handshake and promised to knock him out. But that’s Fury and Ngannou will have to get used to it on his boxing journey.”Joshua kept ice cool but admits that if he was given the choice to sit in a tight room with a host of past and present rivals, his RSVP would be brutal.He explained: “It is so funny because we all slag each other off online but that was probably the first time we were all in a room with each other and I realised there that it’s all bluff.“People don’t like each other but just because of that, it doesn’t mean that we are going to fight each other.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“Being there this time was the same situation so I knew how to handle it from past experience. I just stood in the corner, held my ground and scanned the room.“His Excellency invited us to house and we respect the invite but I think if the lot of us were given the invite and told it was our choice, a lot of us would say ‘f*** that’.”Brilliant moment Anthony Joshua reveals what music he listens to after airpods start playing during press conference and Ngannou jokingly nicks oneUnlike most of Fury’s previous opponents, cagefighter Ngannou held his nerve and his temper and sent Fury packing with a terrifying warning when they met.”I was very calm,” he grinned. “I told him, the only chance he has against me is in the boxing ring.“You can hit when standing upright but otherwise I know you can’t do s***.“The only moment he has a chance is when boxing rules apply, if you take them away, I beat him from Monday to Sunday and maybe twice on Sunday.” More

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      Anthony Joshua under huge pressure to ‘outdo’ Tyson Fury and KO Ngannou, warns ex-UFC champ’s coach

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA is under massive pressure to “OUTDO” Tyson Fury and stop Francis Ngannou in their crossover clash.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion will throw down with the MMA man mountain in a multi-million-pound Saudi showdown on Friday night.Anthony Joshua faces Francis Ngannou in a crossover clash on Friday nightCredit: GETTYFormer UFC champ Ngannou embarrassed Tyson Fury in his boxing debut last OctoberCredit: GETTYBoxing purists claimed Fury underestimated the Cameroonian clubberCredit: GETTYNgannou’s head coach Dewey Cooper reckons AJ is now under huge pressure to ‘outdo’ The Gypsy KingCredit: REUTERSFormer UFC king Ngannou, 37, shocked the world in his boxing debut last October, dropping Tyson Fury on his way to taking the Brit to a split decision verdict.Ngannou’s humbling of Fury left a black eye not only on the Brit but on all those in the boxing world who claimed he only had a puncher’s chance of winning the fight.And the Cameroonian clubber’s coach Dewey Cooper believes the weight of Fury’s shortcomings has fallen on the shoulders of AJ.The legendary boxing and mixed martial arts trainer told SunsSport: “I see him not being tentative.READ MORE IN BOXING”Why? Because he has to get that monkey off his back. “He has to outdo Tyson Fury. So he’s going to come out fighting.”Joshua, 34, was his malicious old self in his December destruction of former training partner Otto Wallin.Team Ngannou foresees more of the same in Friday’s Riyadh rumble, saying: “We expect him to come out strong and confident, the way he did against Otto Wallin in his last fight.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT”That’s what he expects and we’ll be ready for it.”Power versus power, fire versus fire, thats what this fight will be.”Alamy Live News. 2WCEDJ4 LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM. 15 Jan, 2024. Anthony Joshua (left) face off with Francis Ngannou (right) during Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou Kick-off Press Conference at Here, Outernet on Monday, January 15, 2024 in LONDON, ENGLAND. Credit: Taka G Wu/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not […]Many boxing purists put Ngannou’s success against Fury down to the Gypsy King treating him as nothing more than an easy warm-up for his undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk.But Cooper is refusing to buy what those critics are selling, insisting Fury was just incapable of getting the better of ‘The Predator’.He said: “When you have 30 minutes, it’s not a surprise. “When you have 30 minutes, it’s not overlooking someone.”Fury had 30 minutes to impose his will and show that he was a level above Francis. He couldn’t do it in 30 minutes.”So I don’t want to hear about underestimating – that’s garbage. Dewey Cooper insists Tyson Fury tried his best to stop Francis Ngannou but was unable toCredit: GETTYTeam Ngannou expect Anthony Joshua to be as aggressive as he was against Otto WallinCredit: Getty”That’s just a narrative of people not wanting to be wrong with their opinions in the first place.”Keep it real. All these guys that felt that way and that Francis had no chance were just wrong.”Accept it and don’t try to discredit the greatness you saw that night or the ability you saw that night.”Secondly, we’re glad that people have seen what Francis can do because it’s going to be further improved from that [when he faces Joshua].READ MORE SUN STORIES”Every fight, he plans on improving and we plan on him improving. “So I’ll wonder what they’ll say after this fight.”Dewey Cooper expects Francis Ngannou to shock once again against AJCredit: REUTERS More