Anthony Joshua has weighed in 20lbs lighter than Francis Ngannou ahead of Friday’s ‘Knockout Chaos’ showpiece in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua, who weighed in at 251lbs ahead of his victory over Otto Wallin in December, will take to the canvas as the favourite over Ngannou, despite the world’s hardest puncher impressing during his controversial split decision defeat by Tyson Fury.
AJ has put on just over a pound since defeating Wallin, registering 252.4lbs on the scales on Thursday. Ngannou, meanwhile, has practically maintained weight at 272.6lbs, having been 272.2lbs for his showdown with the Gypsy King in October.
The former UFC champion was beaten via split decision when he came up against Fury last year but will be hoping for different fortunes on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Zhilei Zhang (291.6lbs) weighed in over three stone heavier than Joseph Parker (247.6lbs), with the undercard pair taking to the scales moments before the main event weigh-in.
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Anthony Joshua has weighed in 20lbs lighter than Francis Ngannou ahead of Friday’s fight
Joshua (L) weighed in 252.4lbs meanwhile the former UFC champion weighed in 272.6lbs
Undercard Zhilei Zhang (left) weighed in over three stone heavier than Joseph Parker (right)
Manny Pacquiao (left) and Conor Benn (right) pictured at the weigh-in in Riyadh on Thursday
Britain’s Nick Ball and his opponent Rey Vargas also made the 126lb limit for their WBC featherweight title fight.
Ahead of the bout, Joshua has insisted that he will be bringing ‘relentlessness’ in his Friday fight with Ngannou.
When asked about his preparation, Joshua said: ‘All will be revealed, straight up war, relentlessness and a good fight. That’s what everyone’s here for – a good fight.’
With the ever-present prospect of a clash with compatriot Fury never seeming to leave Joshua’s career trajectory, there has of course been speculation that a win over Ngannou could bring that titanic collision a step closer to reality.
However, Joshua insisted that his attention was firmly fixed on Friday night, and he was not looking past the task at hand.
‘We’re not looking past this fight,’ he said. ‘The incentives and stuff, it’s just to win, to focus on my game plan and focus on what I’ve got to do.
Joshua appeared laid back on Wednesday night but promised he would deliver on Friday
Ngannou talks learning his craft and Joshua runs through his music
‘It was always his [Francis] dream to be a boxer, he was part of the Cameroonian team and only started MMA when he was 26. He’s been doing it from a young age, I know what I’m up against.
‘I spar, I do my film studying and keep it professional. But on the night, that textbook goes out the window, you’ve got to be relentless.
‘This [entertaining] is what I’ve devoted my life to so bring every challenge, every competition and I’ll step up to the plate. One day I’ll share the ring with Tyson – I’m serious about the game.
‘The best man will always win, it’s not rocket science. One of the main things I’m looking forward to is showing how good I am. People find out when they’re in the ring, but we’ll see. Friday will soon come, I’m looking forward to it and the occasion.’
