FRANCIS NGANNOU has dropped a training bombshell ahead of his clash with Anthony Joshua.
The former UFC heavyweight champion is a little over two weeks away from throwing down with AJ in a second successive lucrative Saudi showdown.
Francis Ngannou throws down with former unified heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua next monthCredit: PA
The former UFC champ had Mike Tyson help prepare him for his boxing debut last yearCredit: AFP
Iron Mike hasn’t been a part of Ngannou’s latest training campCredit: AFP
Ngannou, 37, shocked the world in his professional boxing debut last October against Tyson Fury, who he cut and dropped in his decision loss.
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson helped the Cameroonian clubber prepare for his boxing bow but has been absent from his latest training camp.
Ngannou told The Mirror: “To be honest with this fight since my training was here [Riyadh], we didn’t get Mike Tyson here.
“He came in like three times [for Fury], he was more advising.
“He would come and watch our training, he would be there to give advice.”
Despite coming up short against WBC king Fury, MMA man mountain Ngannou is confident of having his hand raised against Joshua courtesy of a devastating knockout.
He told MMA Fighting: “If AJ takes the punch that Fury took, I don’t guarantee that he’s standing up.
“I’ve heard that he doesn’t have a chin. I’m going to find out.”
During an appearance on the High Performance Podcast, he added: “Never say never. Nothing is impossible. We don’t know the strength of Anthony Joshua.
“Even though I don’t believe he has that strength, we’re going to find out.
“I’m going to be the one taking his soul.”
Joshua, 34, insists he’ll be minding his Ps and Qs in the crossover clash, saying: “If Tyson underestimated Ngannou, I sure won’t.
“Francis has lost the element of surprise with me.
“We knew Francis had a reputation as the biggest puncher in the world but the surprise was how well he boxed.
“He was exceptional on the inside and made life very complicated for Tyson.
“So much so that I do belong to the opinion that he beat Fury.”
