The next heavyweight crossover boxing instalment arrives to the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Friday as former world champion Anthony Joshua faces former UFC champ Francis Ngannou in a ten-round contest. The Brit is still searching for a path back to the titles having been stripped and then beaten by Oleksandr Usyk, and will hope that a win over Ngannou boosts his chances of a trilogy against the Ukrainian.
It is a strange predicament that the heavyweight world finds itself in. Although Ngannou is best known for his MMA achievements, the Cameroonian striker shot to notoriety in the boxing world last October. The 37-year-old dropped WBC champ, Tyson Fury, to the canvas in the third round as he showcased a surprising technical approach in his debut. As such, Ngannou bizarrely represents a stiffer challenge than the top-10 ‘pure’ boxers.
Better yet for fight fans, the co-promotion of Eddie Hearn (Matchroom) and Frank Warren (Queensberry Promotions) has ensured that a stacked undercard gives the pay-per-view genuine value. Chinese star, Zhilei Zhang, will challenge Kiwi fan favourite Joseph Parker for the interim WBO world heavyweight title in the co-main event. Another world title fight features Rey Vargas defending his WBC world featherweight title against the heavy-hitting Nick Ball.
Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou
No, enlisting Ben Davison as his coach won’t usher in a return to ‘vintage AJ’. The early career of Anthony Joshua is well behind us, buried in New York by the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr. That isn’t to say that Joshua isn’t an elite heavyweight, but rather, his gun-slinging days have been over since 2019. The 34-year-old enjoyed periods of success against Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch, using his jab smartly behind the threat of his powerful right straight. While it didn’t prove enough on the night – Usyk has far too many layers with which to adapt throughout 12 rounds – it showcased the underrated technical levels of AJ’s game.
Power has always been a great equaliser in the bigger divisions. If Ngannou’s UFC highlight reel wasn’t enough before, then the third round knockdown of Tyson Fury underlined his punchers chance. Despite many fans believing that the Cameroonian should have been given the nod on the scorecards, Pintsized covered how to score a fight and why they are wrong.
Ngannou proved his ability to counter-punch against Fury, but that was a low-paced affair with heavy clinching. Can he keep up with the pace of ten rounds if Joshua opts to box on the outside? The former Olympic gold medallist embarrassed Andy Ruiz in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia in a rematch that saw AJ jab the head off his disgracefully overweight opponent. Joshua’s chin isn’t perfect, but it is strong enough to weather the occasional Ngannou power punch.
Joshua vs Ngannou Prediction: Joshua TKO Round 8
Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker
Chat Shit, Get Zhanged. How the 40-year-old Zhilei Zhang is still kicking around heavyweight world title contention is anyone’s guess. It was only three years ago when Big Bang faded after three rounds against Jerry Forrest in Miami and crawled to a majority decision draw. Since then, however, Zhang has been on a freak tear-up with a pair of KOs against Joe Joyce and a highly disputed decision loss to Filip Hrgovic. The southpaw cuts a massive figure in the ring and carries ridiculous early round power, but his greatest strength is the ability to coax opponent’s into a war of lead hand parrying. This distraction tends to root opponents in the pocket and allow him to mask his cannon of a straight left hand.
It is difficult to see how that will conquer a revitalised Joseph Parker. Since joining up with coach Andy Lee in Morecambe, the Kiwi approaches fights with far more educated game plans. Against hall-of-fame knockout puncher, Deontay Wilder, Parker occupied the centre of the ring and stayed well out of striking distance. He would then find short openings to press Wilder to the ropes, landing a couple of shots, before wrapping the American in a clinch. While Zhang is far more astute in ring positioning, Parker’s gas tank is more reliable to dictate the pace after the opening rounds.
Zhang vs Parker : Parker Decision
Rey Vargas vs Nick Ball
Is this a case of right time, right fight for Nick Ball? Rey Vargas has been a quality WBC champion at super bantamweight and featherweight, but the Mexican enters off of a decisive loss to O’Shaquie Foster in a bid to gain the super featherweight title. While that isn’t particularly damning, the 33-year-old had been fortunate to earn the nod against Mark Magsayo in his prior featherweight title defence. In particular, Vargas struggled to slow Magsayo’s constant forward pressure and volume.
For all his flaws, Nick Ball can never be criticised as a fighter who will be left wanting. The Liverpudlian is a bowling ball of aggression who looks to out-work opponents and break them down the stretch. His physical gifts ensure that he can maintain a punishing pace and his positive approach tends to see him favoured on the scorecards. As seen against a weathered Isaac Dogboe, however, Ball lacks a meaningful counter game. Of particular concern is the positioning of his lead hand in his high guard, leaving a considerable gap between his elbow and body – an area which Dogboe targeted successfully. Vargas is a more spiteful body puncher and could stop Ball, but I am backing the naturally larger fighter to bully Vargas.
Vargas vs Ball Prediction: Ball Decision
Rest of the Card
Mark Chamberlain vs Gavin Gwynne Prediction: Chamberlain Decision
Jack McGann vs Louis Greene Prediction: McGann Decision
Justis Huni vs Kevin Lerena Prediction: Lerena Decision
Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres Prediction: Novytskyi Decision
Ziyad Almaayouf vs Christian Lopez Flores Prediction: Almaayouf Decision
Roman Fury vs Martin Svarc Prediction: Fury TKO Round 3
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