Anthony Joshua says Friday’s fight against Francis Ngannou is “war” as the duo get set to box in Saudi Arabia with both aiming to earn a bout against Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk, who fight in May.
There are tentative plans in place for the the winners of each of the two fights to compete for a united crown.
Joshua said: “It’s straight out war. This will be a good fight. I’m just focusing on Friday’s game plan… Nothing more. I know what I’m up against.”
Ngannou said: “I will struggle to do 10 rounds but I’m human, I think Fury struggled [against me] more. AJ will be the best win of my career but I’m just getting started… I want a rematch with Tyson after.”
Anthony Joshua professional record
Fight No.ResultRecordOpponentResult Type30Win27–3Otto WallinRTD29Win26–3Robert HeleniusKO28Win25–3Jermaine FranklinUD27Loss24–3Oleksandr UsykSD26Loss24–2Oleksandr UsykUD25Win24–1Kubrat PulevKO24Win23–1Andy Ruiz Jr.UD23Loss22–1Andy Ruiz Jr.TKO22Win22–0Alexander PovetkinTKO21Win21–0Joseph ParkerUD20Win20–0Carlos TakamTKO19Win19–0Wladimir KlitschkoTKO18Win18–0Éric MolinaTKO17Win17–0Dominic BreazealeTKO16Win16–0Charles MartinKO15Win15–0Dillian WhyteTKO14Win14–0Gary CornishTKO13Win13–0Kevin JohnsonTKO12Win12–0Raphael Zumbano LoveTKO11Win11–0Jason GavernKO10Win10–0Michael SprottTKO9Win9–0Denis BakhtovTKO8Win8–0Konstantin AirichTKO7Win7–0Matt SkeltonTKO6Win6–0Matt LeggKO5Win5–0Hector Alfredo AvilaKO4Win4–0Dorian DarchTKO3Win3–0Hrvoje KisičekTKO2Win2–0Paul ButlinTKO1Win1–0Emanuele LeoTKOAJ record
Francis Ngannou professional record
Fight No.ResultRecordOpponentResult Type1Loss0–1Tyson FurySD (split decision)Ngannou record