The short yet remarkable boxing career of former UFC champion Francis Ngannou continues on March 8 when he takes on Anthony Joshua in a fight that is ‘like fire and water’ compared to his debut against Tyson Fury.
That is according to Ngannou’s coach Dewey Cooper who was in the corner when Ngannou almost pulled off the impossible back in October in Riyadh.
The Cameroonian-Frenchman boxed impressively well, even managing to knock Fury down in the third round, but ultimately ran out on the wrong side of a close points decision.
Speaking to Fruity Slots, Cooper was asked how the fight with Joshua compares as many onlookers claim it will be a competitive contest.
“Is AJ a more difficult fight than Tyson? I’ve pondered this myself, it’s like fire and water. Fury was water. Water can be frozen and he could hit you solidly, but you have to contain his high skill and high IQ, whereas AJ is fire, fire can burn you.
“Fire can scorch you and it’s really painful to get burned by that flame, the power of Anthony Joshua I’m talking about, so this fight is as difficult as Tyson Fury because of the power factor, the fire he has in hands, he can put you out.”
He went on to speak of the power that Joshua holds and the risk that presents to his man.
“I knew Fury could not land one punch to topple Francis, he’d need a multitude of punches, but Joshua is more dangerous from that perspective.
“They are both difficult, particularly because of the experience Francis lacks, but Francis has those intangibles. He has crazy power, the chin and he’s mentally tougher than people know. It will be a different type of Fury, action personified.”