Anthony Joshua Changes Tune 2 Weeks Before Heavyweight Fight With Francis Ngannou

• Anthony Joshua will face off with Francis Ngannou in a heavyweight boxing match in March
• The British-Nigeria boxer has admitted that it would be a massive fixture
• Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has branded the upcoming bout as a 'dangerous' fight

Ahead of his blockbuster fight against Ngannou, British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua has suggested that it is not a big deal if the Cameroonian had knocked down Tyson Fury in his previous fight.

AJ admitted that he was not initially keen on his upcoming bout against the former UFC champion.

The pair will now face off in a massive clash at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 8.

Ngannou stunned observers with his boxing ability against the Gypsy King and even knocked down the 35-year-old in Round 3 of their explosive fight.

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Boxing

With the fight coming up in less than a month, Joshua says he is not surprised, as he hailed his next opponent.

AJ responded:

“Who hasn’t knocked Tyson down? So many people have knocked Tyson down. I researched Ngannou, and I’ve watched Tyson Fury box a number of times.

"People claim he’s the greatest of many, many generations, but I think if I box Tyson Fury, a lot of similarities will happen in the fight.

“So, I’m not surprised at all, in terms of his style, who Fury is. It’s just a boxing match. Well done to both of them, they put on an entertaining fight. But that’s in the past now.”

Meanwhile, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has assured that former two-time world champion, Joshua, is in great shape but warned that it will be dangerous.

Hearn told talkSPORT:

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Football

“He looks great. I went down his gym last week with [trainer] Ben Davison. They’re working really well.

“It’s a dangerous fight, you know, I think on paper you expect AJ to take care of him, but as we saw on paper, it didn’t really pan out that way for the Fury fight."

Joshua, Fury set for massive payday

Sports Brief earlier reported that British boxers Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are on course for a massive payday provided they both win their next fights.

It was gathered that Argentine football legend Lionel Messi earns approximately $60 million a year due to his deal in America.

Joshua and Fury will earn $126 million for their fight. Paris Saint-Germain Kylian Mbappe makes just over €90 million per year.