Ngannou vs. Joshua: The famous boxer who also fights in mixed martial arts, Claressa Shields, predicts that Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will battle close. She predicts that it will be so close that there will be a split vote.
Ngannou, a former heavyweight champion of the UFC, has participated in just one professional boxing match. He will fight Anthony Joshua, the two-time unified champion, on March 8.
In their most recent fight, Tyson Fury defeated Ngannou via a controversial split decision, and Shields thinks Joshua may face challenges in his matchup with the mixed martial artist.
“I believe the contest will be exciting. Initially, my perception of the fight was that AJ was going to submit Ngannou. It seems like it will be a split decision that goes either way now that things have kind of changed,” Shields said to Sky Sports.
“I make that statement because I believe AJ has a lot to prove, and when he does, I believe he sometimes puts too much pressure on himself and loses his battle. It may also be a tighter fight if he doesn’t fight Francis because Francis is a large, strong, and powerful man as well.
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Ngannou vs. Joshua: “AJ has what it takes to defeat Francis, in my opinion. All he needs to do is do it,” Says Shields
Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and undisputed boxing champion, has a sincere regard for mixed martial arts (MMA), especially because she will be participating in the sport. The PFL SmartCage match for Shields is scheduled for this Saturday.
“I predict a close match between Joshua and Ngannou due to his intense competition with Tyson Fury.” Tyson Fury did not consider the bout to be serious. “I believe that boxers have a mentality that suggests MMA fighters aren’t skilled boxers,” the woman stated.
“However, Francis is among those boxers who, for the most part, stand up during a battle. He therefore has a solid background in boxing and stand-up.
“But coming from an MMA fighter, we boxers don’t really take that seriously.”
“I think Tyson would have realized, okay, this guy can definitely be a challenge if he had done his homework.”
Shields thinks that practising mixed martial arts (MMA) will benefit Ngannou, who has shown success in boxing.
“I think I’d be OK without it. I believe it elevates me and improves me as a fighter in general. I believe that MMA has given me greater boxing expertise. I can still utilise how they punch, the angles, and other things like that in boxing,” the woman remarked.
“I know I can hit them from a distance they can’t reach, and I can still use some of my footwork to set up shots.” It elevates my IQ in a way. It adds, without a doubt, that they are still two distinct sports.
She says she will be more formidable when she returns to boxing later this year, and she has every intention of doing so.
“As a fighter, I never settle for my previous performance; instead, I always strive to improve. I raise the bar on everything I do, which is why none of these females can keep up. You’re not going to get the Claressa that you witnessed battle with Savannah Marshall,” she remarked.
“People say that I looked good against Maricela Cornejo and Savannah Marshall, but wait until I return to the ring—I’ll be much better than that. After every battle, I’ve improved.
“I am powerful and skilled. I just am the greatest person ever.”
