06 March 2024 , 16:34
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Anthony Joshua has been told by heavyweight rival Zhilei Zhang to "kill" Francis Ngannou in their fight.
Former two-time unified heavyweight world champion Joshua is in the last stages of preparing for his fight against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou on Friday in Saudi Arabia. The pair showed off a small section of their skills to fans in Riyadh at an open workout on Tuesday night, but Joshua didn't even lace up a pair of as he shadowboxed alongside kids from a local club.
Just moments after Joshua exited the ring, footage captured by MMA Junkie shows Zhang fist-bumping the Brit while telling him to "kill" Ngannou. Zhang serves as chief support for Joshua on the card as he fights Joseph Parker following the New Zealander's shocking win against Deontay Wilder at the end of last year.
The winner of Joshua and Ngannou's showdown has been promised a shot at the undisputed world titles, which Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight for on May 18. Joshua admitted that at first glance his fight against Ngannou is a mismatch but explained why the former UFC champion shouldn't be counted out.
"On paper, but there's a reality init? Look at how I came up in the game, I came out of nowhere and three years got myself to the Olympics and became Olympic champion. In three years as a professional, became world champion. Stranger things have happened in life, but I'm a different beast and I'm ready," he told reporters.
Anthony Joshua advised to "play the game" by heavyweight boxing legend
"I'm not focused on [getting] any credit from anyone. Never have and never will, it's all about me. I enjoy fighting and that's all I do it for. It's something within me and I can't explain it, but I've got a great opportunity to travel the world and express myself through this beautiful sport that I love."
Ngannou vacated his UFC heavyweight world title last January and parted ways with the promotion to pursue a boxing career. The 37-year-old controversially lost his ring debut against Fury by a single point last October despite putting the heavyweight champion down in the fight.