Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou knows firsthand exactly how dangerous former two-time heavyweight boxing titleholder Anthony Joshua is. He was on the receiving end of a highlight reel knockout when the two fought in March 2024.
Joshua faces influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul on Friday in Miami, Florida but he was originally supposed to fight former multiple division champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in an exhibition bout on Nov. 14. The match was nixed by the fight promotion and Netflix after a lawsuit was filed against Davis alleging domestic violence.
With the Davis fight off, Paul went looking for a replacement opponent. Several fighters were contacted, including the former UFC heavyweight champion. “The Predator” was confused by the offer and Paul settled on Joshua. Ngannou was surprised Paul was willing to take on a high-level heavyweight.
“I was surprised he moved up to heavyweight like and he’s not going for less of a heavyweight,” Ngannou said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “I think AJ wins. I mean, do you think otherwise?”
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Ngannou believes the fight will likely end early with Paul on the canvas.
“Yeah, I would say so (Paul gets knocked out in the first round). But why exactly Jake Paul took that fight? That’s what I’m excited to see,” Ngannou said. “You know, what is his strategy.”
“AJ versus Jake, I think besides the Jake team, nobody is really like, okay Jake’s gost this. He can pull this off,” Ngannou continued. “Maybe he’s going to surprise us.”
