Listen to a Summary of the Article
Boxing legend Ricky Hatton believes the upcoming fight between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou has left boxing fans "in limbo" following Tyson Fury's recent match.
Ricky Hatton has expressed his reservations about the upcoming bout between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou, stating that it has left boxing fans uncertain about the outcome. Ngannou, a former UFC champion, made the switch to boxing last year and faced Tyson Fury in October. Despite scoring a knockdown, Ngannou lost to Fury in a controversial split-decision. Now, Ngannou is set to fight Joshua on March 8 in Saudi Arabia, and Hatton believes there are still many unanswered questions surrounding Ngannou's abilities.
Hatton raises questions about Ngannou's performance and Fury's preparation
Hatton questions whether Ngannou's performance against Fury was better than initially thought or if Fury underestimated him. He also wonders if Fury's training was not as intense as it could have been, leading to Ngannou's strong showing. Hatton acknowledges that Ngannou is known for his punching power but suggests that Tyson's approach to the fight may have played a role in the outcome. These uncertainties surrounding Ngannou's abilities and Fury's preparation have left fans in a state of limbo, according to Hatton.
Fury's injury leads to Ngannou's opportunity
Tyson Fury was originally scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed title on February 17. However, a cut sustained in sparring has postponed the fight to May 18. As a result, Ngannou, who was seeking a rematch with Fury, decided to pursue a match with Joshua instead. The fight between Ngannou and Joshua is highly anticipated, with both fighters bringing their own unique skill sets to the ring.
Hatton favors Joshua to come out on top
Despite Ngannou's impressive performance against Fury, Hatton believes that Joshua will ultimately prevail in their upcoming fight. Hatton cites Joshua's exceptional boxing skills, including his Olympic gold medal and two-time world champion titles, as reasons for his confidence in Joshua's abilities. However, Hatton does express some concern about Joshua's lack of lateral movement compared to Fury, which could leave him vulnerable to Ngannou's power. Ultimately, Hatton predicts that Joshua's confidence and new team will give him the edge in the fight.
