Francis Ngannou vs Anthony Joshua: Boxing Pundit Explains Why Mouthwatering Bout Will Be Very Close

• Francis Ngannou vs Anthony Joshua is the most anticipated boxing fight in the world
• The mouthwatering fight will feature an ex-UFC champion and former boxing titleholder
• The fight in Saudi Arabia has been tipped to be a very close one due to some reasons

Nigerian boxing pundit Bamidele Bakare has opined that the mouth-watering fight between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou would be a very close bout this weekend.

The former UFC champion will face the British-Nigerian boxer in his second professional boxing bout slated for Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on March 8.

The Cameroonian lost his debut fight to Tyson Fury but hopes to get his first professional win against a former heavyweight champion.

Sharing his thoughts ahead of the fight between Joshua and Ngannou, Pundit Bakare told Sports Brief:

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"It is a very close one, honestly; considering Ngannou's performance against Tyson Fury in their previous bout, it was a very close call," he said.

"But this time, I think it's a different ball game. AJ, I believe, has more power punch than [Tyson] Fury, and if he's lucky to get a chance at Ngannou, it will be detrimental.

"The same goes for Ngannou; if he gets a chance to hit AJ first, it will be very bad for the former heavyweight champion.

"Ngannou said it himself in the press conference: during his bout with Fury, people didn't really know his boxing skills, but this time around, Fury has exposed him and made people know that he can actually box, so AJ should be prepared for that, and to know how to change styles and make other movements to be successful in this bout."

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Bakare also affirmed that Joshua needed to win the fight even though Ngannou would do everything to set a record and prove a point against the British boxer.

"Joshua really needs this bout, and Ngannou will want to do everything it takes to be victorious just to set a record and just to prove a point," he added.

"It is going to be a very tight one, and it's possible that Ngannou can come out with a surprise, as Joshua does, too."

Joshua speaks on Fury, Wilder

Sports Brief earlier reported on Joshua opening up on why he is yet to face Fury and Deontay Wilder, two of the top heavyweight boxers.

The 34-year-old boxer has now come out to defend his boxing record, disclosing that he has in the past signed contracts that would see him fight both Wilder and Fury.

However, none of the planned fights has materialised, with Joshua citing reasons beyond his control.