Anthony Joshua kept his eyes firmly locked on Francis Ngannou as the former UFC champion publicly questioned his ability to take a punch.
The heavyweight duo met at a press conference on Monday to officially confirm their ‘Knockout Chaos’ fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 8.
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Joshua and Ngannou faced off for the first timeCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
Both men were respectful to each other throughout, but things got awkward when presenter Josh Denzel brought up Ngannou’s recent comments about Joshua’s chin.
“If AJ takes the punch that Fury took, I don’t guarantee that he’s standing up,” the Cameroonian KO artist said on The MMA Hour.
“I’ve heard that he doesn’t have a chin. I’m going to find out.”
Joshua has employed a safety-first approach since being knocked down several times and stopped during his first career defeat to Andy Ruiz in 2019.
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The Englishman stared menacingly as his next opponent initially danced around the subject before ultimately repeating his punch resistance verdict.
“I’m going to fight him, so what do you think I’m going to do? Look for his chin,” Ngannou said when he was reminded of his previous comments in front of Joshua.
“I mean, that’s what happens in a fight. In a fight, you try to hit somebody in the chin or wherever you can hit him, right?
“Yes, I heard that he doesn’t have a chin. I don’t know if it’s true or not. We are going to find out. I hope I get the opportunity to test that out.
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Ngannou felt his comments were fairCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
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Joshua listened intently as the MMA star tried to explain himselfCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
“That’s my wish, that’s what I’m wishing for.”
Besides mean-mugging Ngannou, Joshua didn’t react to the comment.
AJ is focused on winning another world title and the new undisputed championship belt that was unveiled by the Chairman of General Authority for Entertainment His Excellency Turki Alalshikh during his press conference.
It’s hoped whoever emerges victorious when Joshua fights Ngannou will move on to face the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles later this year.
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