Author: quyen1

Credits: Imago

In 2013, Lewis Hamilton left McLaren to become a Mercedes driver. 12 years and 6 drivers’ championships later, the British driver will finally move on from the team. From 2025 onwards, Hamilton will become a Ferrari driver, fulfilling a childhood dream. While completing his media duties (video uploaded on X by Sir Lewis Updates) Hamilton addressed the much-anticipated move.

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Speaking to the media, Hamilton ascertained fans that he will always be a Mercedes man. He claimed that he loves Mercedes, and that will never change. He even mentioned that he still hopes that McLaren does well every time they race. Furthermore, Hamilton mentioned his excitement about facing a massive challenge as he moves into the next chapter of his life.

“I think this is a really pivotal point, another chapter I’m going to into my life where I’ve got this massive challenge ahead of me, moving forward, and it’s something that I’m really, really excited about. And it’s worrying, it’s nerve-wracking and it’s exciting.”

Experts and pundits believe Hamilton’s mental peace has taken a hit in recent years. Having last won a race in 2021, the Briton is growing increasingly frustrated with his team. Despite often getting on the podium, a 104th race win has eluded Hamilton for over two years now.

Hopes were high for the 2024 Mercedes car, and Hamilton was optimistic of strong results. However, the first two races of the season were no different from what was seen in the previous two seasons. Hence, with continued struggles, experts and pundits think Hamilton has run out of patience with Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton has mentally checked out from Mercedes

Noting the consistently intense efforts from George Russell, former F1 driver David Coulthard believes Hamilton might already be aligning with the Ferrari team. Per a report from Sports Illustrated, Coulthard does not think Hamilton has been able to settle with the W15 challenger. Russell’s continued improvements with the Mercedes car might also be putting Hamilton on the back foot. However, he added that should Hamilton find a “window of performance,” he shall certainly deliver. However, given the current situation, Coulthard is all but certain that Hamilton is already at Ferrari, albeit mentally.

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Ever since the ground effect regulations came into effect in 2022, Mercedes and Hamilton have struggled a lot. The 7-time world champion is yet to win a race under the latest regulations. Mercedes have fared slightly better as a team. Thanks to Russell, the Silver Arrows won their only race of the latest regulations in 2022 in Sao Paulo. Although Hamilton outperformed Russell in 2023, it looks like the younger driver has the upper hand this season so far. Meanwhile, Ferrari continues to walk down a resurgent path, slowly inching closer to the performances of Red Bull.

Credits: IMAGO PanoramiC

An F1 expert recently explained why he believes that Lewis Hamilton is becoming increasingly “frustrated” at Mercedes. Edd Straw of The Race believes that since the Briton will leave the team for Ferrari in 2025, he is perhaps no longer committed to “fixing” things with his current side.

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When asked on the most recent episode of The Race F1 Podcast if Hamilton has given up, he replied, “I don’t think he has given up. I think he is incredibly frustrated and disappointed“.

Straw believes that since Hamilton wants to fight Max Verstappen and Red Bull at the front, it is disappointing for him to not be able to do so. Meanwhile, another reason why he believes that Hamilton is no longer committed to the Mercedes project is that he will leave for Ferrari in 2025.

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“He is only there for one more year. So I think, at some point, he is going to process the fact that I just get the best out of this car, I don’t really need to fix it for next year and try and make this one better,” explained the expert. At the moment, all Hamilton can do is fight for podiums. Verstappen meanwhile, continues to dominate.

Verstappen has won both the races so far this season. His teammate Sergio Perez followed him P2 in both. In such a situation, Hamilton may indeed be thinking that he will try and do the best he can for Mercedes for the rest of this season, and then plan ahead with Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton will hope to challenge for a record eighth title in 2026

The regulations remain relatively unchanged going into the 2025 season. Hence, Max Verstappen and Red Bull are likely to be the favorites even next year. However, things could change come 2026. With F1 set to introduce new regulations, the pecking order could change massively.

Since the new regulations revolve around engines and Ferrari has years of experience in producing power units, they could be one of the favorites in 2026. Lewis Hamilton is perhaps betting on the same as he continues to hunt for his record-eighth championship. Ferrari fans too, have been excited about this partnership ever since Hamilton announced his move at the end of January.

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Red Bull are currently going through a period of turmoil because of the ongoing Christian Horner saga. There are rumors that the Dutchman may consider leaving the team because of this internal unrest. Since the Briton will be leaving Mercedes, the Silver Arrows are now reportedly fancying signing three-time champion Max Verstappen.

Credits: Imago

Lewis Hamilton recently visited a school in Malaysia as part of a promotional activity for Mercedes’ sponsor, Petronas. There, a fan gave him the ultimate honor and labeled him Lisan Al Gaib, another word for prophet or messiah.

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Lisan Al Gaib became a famous name after the release of Dune, and later Dune 2, one of 2024’s biggest blockbuster films, starring Timothée Chalamet. In the fictional Dune universe, Fremens are a group of people who believe that Lisan Al Gaib is their savior, prophet, or Messiah. Hamilton, one of F1’s most popular stars, was labeled the same.

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While he was exiting a building in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, a fan shouted and called him by the name. The video for the same became viral all over social media. And fans online seem to agree with the comparison.

Hamilton’s larger-than-life figure in the F1 paddock has made him a huge personality. Some even feel that he is bigger than F1 as a whole. Being the prophet and messiah of F1 is a tag Hamilton would love to wear proudly. That is because he is adamant about bringing widespread changes over to the sport.

Fans react to Lewis Hamilton’s Lisan Al Gaib comparison

On X (formerly Twitter), fans didn’t shy away from sharing their reactions to the viral comparison. Some were shocked, others not so much. A user on X named Stefanie felt that Hamilton being called Lisan Al Gaib was actually very “real.”

View post on X

A few surprising reactions aside, some fans were talking about how good the movie would do now. Dune 2 is already a box office hit and has even received a few early Oscar shouts. Having F1’s most famous personality linked to it will make them wonder.

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Hamilton’s visit to Malaysia itself shocked some, let alone the Lisan Al Gaib comparisons. With just one week off, many expected the drivers to rest and regroup before a trip down under to Australia. Hamilton, however, decided to fly to the South-East Asian country and appear for Petronas’s event.

UFC star Sean Strickland has admitted that he’s ‘mentally unwell’ in a rare honest confession which was posted on social media.

Fans have become used to the former middleweight champion’s controversial and outspoken takes – such as his recent online rant that included a homophobic slur.

However, the American MMA star has taken to social media to share a video of a completely different focus – as he made admissions to mental health struggles.

Speaking on Instagram, Strickland said: ‘All week I’ve been f***ed up, dude. I’ve been on Twitter saying crazy s***, just f***ing spiraling.

‘I woke up and I told my girl, I was like, ‘Babe, I feel like I’m a danger to people. Like I don’t feel like I should be out in the world.’

UFC star Sean Strickland admitted that he’s ‘mentally unwell’ in an open admission to followers

The American is an outspoken and controversial figure but opted to change that for his video

‘And I think that – I have everything. I’m rich, I’m famous, I have everything I ever f***ing wanted and I am still mentally unwell.

‘I get in these mindsets to where like I want to burn everything down in the world. Like, I want to have nothing, so I can just f***ing lose it and just take out everything on people’.

‘Again, I don’t know why I’m telling you guys this. I’ve just been kind of going through some s***. I’m fine. I’ll be fine. I’m going to go train right now and try to hurt all of my friends, and all of the demons will go away.

‘I just want you guys to know that I have everything I could ever want in the world, and I still struggle. So, whatever you guys are going through man, hope y’all feel better. Go to the gym, train. F***ing wish you all the best.’

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly afterwards, Strickland then wrote: ‘There is always this little voice in me that says “burn it all down, everything”.

‘Then I remind myself “you have a girlfriend, a mortgage. Just stop, it’s gonna be fine just relax move forward, lock it away” Lmao I swear the daily struggle.. ya know?!?!’.

He later took to X to provide more details of his ‘daily struggle’ with mental health issues

Strickland was defeated by Dricus du Plessis in a bout for the middleweight title in January

Just last week, Strickland was seen using a sick homophobic slur during yet another foul-mouthed rant on social media.

On this occasion, Strickland caused offence with a post onto his account on X, formerly known as Twitter, as he produced a bizarre, homophobic rant.

The former UFC champion wrote: ‘I just look at gays like a form of r*****ation.. but I fully accept them

‘Could you imagine if we seen any species on this planet wake up one day and all chose to be gay

‘We would all think “wow there is clearly something wrong with that species. Why are humans exempt? Come on’.

How confession comes shortly after the American MMA star took to social media and claimed that being gay is ‘like a form of r*****ation’

As many fans questioned the post by Strickland, it didn’t take long for the UFC star to return to the platform and suggest that users online ‘can’t take a joke’.

He continued: ‘All can’t take a joke. ARE YOU ALL F***ING HIGH OR JUST WOKE STUPID?!

‘Why is it so difficult to admit that being gay is an abnormality. Be gay, be happy, we accept you

‘BUT You’re a mammal that is human and you fail to do the one thing all mammals want to do. Lmao!! Come on!!’

Eddie Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could sign a two-fight deal to finally face each other, with one of the bouts potentially taking place at Wembley Stadium.

Joshua dispatched Francis Ngannou inside two rounds in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, and has now had three of his last five fights in the Middle Eastern country.

Fury also fought in Saudi Arabia last time out against Ngannou, and is set to return there in May for his undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk.

A win for Fury could set up a fight against Joshua, but fans have become concerned that the pair may not meet on British soil due to Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh being able to offer boxers lucrative money to fight in the Middle East.

However, Joshua’s promoter Hearn has raised hopes that his charge and Fury could meet in the UK, and even claimed that is something Alalshikh is exploring.

Eddie Hearn has revealed Anthony Joshua could fight Tyson Fury twice

Fury has to get past Oleksandr Usyk first, but may then focus his attention on Joshua

One of the fights could take place at Wembley Stadium, according to Hearn

‘This is a gentleman called Turki Alalshikh, who is obviously a very influential figure in sports and entertainment in Saudi Arabia,’ Hearn said on The Sports Agents podcast.

‘He’s also the biggest fight fan I’ve ever met. And quite amazingly, he’s now talking about staging two Fury vs AJ fights – one in Saudi Arabia and one at Wembley Stadium.’

Joshua and Fury have both fought at Wembley before, experiencing some of their best nights in boxing at the iconic venue.

AJ beat Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley in 2017, rising from the canvas to stop the Ukrainian in the 11th round of a back-and-forth contest.

He returned the following year to knock out Russia’s Alexander Povetkin in the seventh round.

Fury was also victorious at the national team stadium as he beat fellow Brit Dillian Whyte in 2022.

Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh (pictured) is on board with making one of the fights in the UK, Hearn claimed

Hearn would love to to bring a Joshua-Fury fight to Wembley, and insists Alalshikh is on board, but admits it is inevitable that big fights will continue to be made in Saudi Arabia in the coming months and years.

Speaking about Alalshikh, Hearn added: ‘He’s one of those guys that listens and reads everything.

‘So he’s definitely read about, “I wish this fight was at Wembley”, or “It’s a shame the fight is in Saudi Arabia”.

‘I mean, we really must have more of a global vision in sport, boxing doesn’t just sit here but two Brits, fighting for the undisputed world championship, I think he would probably bring one of them to the UK, I really do. And that financially, they’ve got the ability to do that.’

Max Verstappen has touched down in Melbourne ahead of an important week at the Australian Grand Prix for Red Bull Racing.

The Formula One world champion and his team have been mired in controversy this season following accusations levelled against boss Christian Horner of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a female colleague.

An internal investigation cleared the beleaguered husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, and the unnamed woman was suspended from the team for giving ‘dishonest’ evidence.

Hundreds of messages allegedly from Horner – some sexual – were spilled to the media and F1 powerhouses, but Red Bull affirmed he would not be sacked despite calls from Verstappen’s father, Jos, for Horner to walk else risk tearing the team apart.

Thai businessman Chalerm Yoovidhya owns 51 per cent of Red Bull and has reportedly sent a family member – dubbed the ‘Thai spy’ – to keep tabs on Horner and the wider company.

Max Verstappen has arrived in Melbourne ahead of this year’s Australian Grand Prix

The reigning world champion has won the opening two races of the new season

Despite the off-track drama, Verstappen has kept his cool behind the wheel, comfortably winning the opening two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

And the reigning champion appeared relaxed as he landed at Melbourne Airport ahead of this weekend’s race at Albert Park.

The 26-year-old hasn’t been completely removed from the scandal, insisting that he would quit the team if Red Bull chief Helmut Marko were to leave the company.

Marko faced accusations of being the source of the leaked messages and himself admitted that he may not be at this weekend’s race in the event he faces disciplinary action. He has since insisted that he is not leaving the team.

Verstappen, Red Bull’s chief asset, will not stand for Marko going – which had increased the prospect of his moving to Mercedes.

The triple world champion said in Saudi Arabia: ‘If such an important pillar falls away, it is not good for my situation and I have told the team that. He is an important part in my decision-making for the future.

Verstappen appeared relaxed ahead of a big race week Down Under

The Red Bull team has been engulfed in a scandal involving Christian Horner

Verstappen, Red Bull’s chief asset, will not stand for Marko going – increasing the prospect of his moving to Mercedes. The triple world champion said: ‘If such an important pillar falls away, it is not good for my situation and I have told the team that. He is an important part in my decision-making for the future.er the renowned racing operator would attend this weekend’s race.

‘For me, Helmut has to stay. I have a lot of respect for him, and what we have achieved together. It goes very far.

‘He built this team with Dietrich (Mateschitz, the energy drink company’s late founder).’

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Tyson Fury are being lined up for a two-fight series – which could include a Wembley Stadium blockbuster.

Both the British superstars have conducted their big-money business in Saudi Arabia of late.

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Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are being lined up for a two-fight seriesCredit: Getty

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Fury could end up facing AJ at Wembley as part of the double headerCredit: Reuters
Joshua is coming off an emphatic knockout over ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who Fury controversially beat on points in October.

And now the Gypsy King is set to face Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification.

The pair are contracted to an immediate rematch but Hearn hopes if Fury wins AJ could jump the queue so that their Battle of Britain can take place.

And the promoter even believes Saudi powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh will bring one of potentially two bouts between them to the UK.

Hearn told The Sports Agents podcast: “This is a gentleman called Turki Al-Sheikh, who is obviously a very influential figure in sports and entertainment in Saudi Arabia.

“He’s also the biggest fight fan I’ve ever met. And quite amazingly, he’s now talking about staging two Fury versus AJ fights – one in Saudi Arabia and one at Wembley Stadium.”

Al-Sheikh has been the man to finally get Hearn and rival-turned business partner Frank Warren to come together.

And it has seen Saudi – more specifically Riyadh – become the hub for major boxing events.

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It leaves fans fearing they will no longer be able to watch their heroes fight on home soil due to the money on offer in the Middle East.

But Hearn has assured that Al-Sheikh himself is looking to bring the Brit icons back home as part of a domestic double header.
Oleksandr Usyk grimaces as he watches Anthony Joshua’s brutal KO of Francis Ngannou
He said: “He’s one of those guys that listens and reads everything.

“So he’s definitely read about, ‘I wish this fight was at Wembley,’ or ‘It’s a shame the fight is in Saudi Arabia.’

“I mean, we really must have more of a global vision in sport, boxing doesn’t just sit here but two Brits, fighting for the undisputed world championship, I think he would probably bring one of them to the UK, I really do. And that financially, they’ve got the ability to do that.”

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Al-Sheikh with AJ after the Brit’s win against Ngannou

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Promotor Eddie Hearn with Joshua

BOXER Jeremiah Milton’s opinion on who would win between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has changed – having sparred them both.

Milton was in camp before Fury’s trilogy bout win over American Deontay Wilder in 2021.

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Tyson Fury sparred Jeremiah Milton in 2021Credit: @dreamland_milton

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Anthony Joshua was in camp with Milton in 2023Credit: @dreamland_milton
And then two years later, he shared rounds in Texas before AJ’s comeback win against Jermaine Franklin.

Joshua, 34, has won three on the spin since and looked back to his best in December with a fifth-round stoppage win over Otto Wallin.

And now he returns on Friday in Saudi Arabia against Francis Ngannou – who Milton has actually been in camp with.

Ngannou, 37, put his MMA career on hold to cross over to boxing last year and floored Fury, 35, only to lose a controversial split-decision.

And the recent run of form has left Milton tipping Joshua to secure British bragging rights over the Gypsy King.

He told SunSport: “I’d actually back AJ to pull it off.

“I think these guys all deserve to fight each other at some point, because it’s all speculation. But yeah, I’ve got AJ pulling that off.”

Fury is set to face Oleksandr Usyk, 37, for the four-belt undisputed crown on May 18 after he pulled out of the February 17 date with a cut.

And Saudi boxing bosses want the winner of the unification bout to then meet Joshua or Ngannou.

So it paves the way for the Battle of Britain to finally commence and Milton explained why he now favours AJ in the domestic dust-up.

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Boxers who have sparred BOTH Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou compare rivals and break down how fight will be won
He said: “I think there has been a silent passing of the torch and it hasn’t happened on paper yet, it hasn’t happened in the ring.

“But this whole triangle theory of, ‘Oh he’s the guy because he beat this guy.’

“It’s like we’ve got back to that somehow and once these fighters fight against each other on any given night they can beat somebody.

“I think Joshua is actually the better one and I’ve shared the ring with Fury and I’ve got mad respect for Fury but I think Joshua is better because he’s more consistent.

“And Fury might have a big of tricks and might be able to do all these things but it’s that consistency, it’s that ‘OK I’ve got good power and I’m going to work and continue to give it my best at all times’.

I think these guys all deserve to fight each other at some point, because it’s all speculation. But yeah, I’ve got AJ pulling that off.

Jeremiah Milton On Anthony Joshua Vs Tyson Fury
“Sometimes Fury might say he’s giving it his best but we don’t know, we just don’t know what we’re going to get.

“So again just Joshua with the consistency and proving he’s going to step up and fight a lot of people at any given notice, yeah I’d have to say Joshua.”

Milton is in Saudi after completing camp with Ngannou and remained on the fence when pressed on a winner in the AJ fight.

He said: “It’s going to be a knockout.

“There’s going to be a knockout. I’m definitely willing to tick on the ballet that somebody’s going to get knocked out.

“I don’t think it’s that type of fight, both dudes get hit and that’s because they’re in the process of trying to hit and you get hit.

“Two big punchers, what else could possibly happen? I don’t see it going to a decision.”

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Francis Ngannou had Milton in his camp

TYSON FURY has admitted to elbowing Francis Ngannou during their bout last year.

The Gypsy King narrowly came out on top in the clash with Ngannou putting up an admirable display in his first ever pro fight.

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Tyson Fury has admitted to elbowing Francis Ngannou in the face during their fightCredit: AFP

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Fury appeared to use his elbow against Ngannou in October of last yearCredit: ESPN
Ngannou didn’t just take Fury all the way to a narrow points victory, but also did it while taking an illegal elbow to the face in the process.

Fans had spotted the dangerous hit from Fury during the fight while others had labelled the Brit as “dirty” for the sixth round blow.

But Fury had not admitted to elbowing The Predator in the match-up until he opened up on the fight in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday ahead of Ngannou’s fight with Anthony Joshua.

Defending his reputation as a courageous fighter, he said: “I hear a lot of this coward talk from the two-time heavyweight champion of the world.

“There was 10 knockdowns in them Wilder trilogies, I went to Germany to fight Klitschko and the US to fight Wilder.

“Where’s all this coward s*** come from? Who am I a coward from? I don’t get it.

“The one thing I can gauge is I hit him [Ngannou] with some flush punches in the face, quite a lot, and even an elbow right in the face.

“He never went over, so regardless of my performance and his performance, I know he’s a tough so a gun.

ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT

“I couldn’t really tell if he was good or bad because I wasn’t having a good performance.”

Ngannou faces AJ on Friday night and Joshua will know just how tough of an opponent the 37-year-old will be from watching him impress against Fury in October.
EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Joshua under huge pressure to ‘out do’ Tyson Fury and KO Ngannou, warns ex-UFC champ’s coach
Fury himself is preparing for his undisputed heavyweight bout with Oleksandr Usyk in May.

And the charismatic fighter has claimed that he will take on the winner of Ngannou vs Joshua with ease.

In fact the 35-year-old has even claimed he could beat the winner with one hand behind his back.

He said: “The winner of these two [Ngannou and Joshua] will get a shot at me after I beat Usyk twice this year,

“So I guarantee when we fight again I’ll tie one hand behind my back and punch his head off.”

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Fury has claimed he will be able to beat the winner of Anthony Joshua and Ngannou’s fight with one arm behind his backCredit: Getty

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He will have to beat Oleksandr Usyk firstCredit: Getty

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.

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Anthony Joshua was left shocked by Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou’s confrontationCredit: Getty

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Fury had a heated confrontation with Ngannou in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty

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Ngannou revealed he issued a chilling warning to FuryCredit: Getty
On 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’.

“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.

“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 one
Unlike 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.”