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Boxing

Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou: Johnny Nelson picks the fighter who will win with 'flying colours'

DAZN
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou: Johnny Nelson picks the fighter who will win with 'flying colours'Matchroom
The heavyweight fight is set for March 8.

It is just a matter of days until former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua takes on Francis Ngannou in what will be the latter's second contest as a professional boxer. 

Ngannou made his debut back in October against WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and while he did lose on a split decision, the Cameroonian did manage to knock down one of the world's best heavyweights in the third round. 

Joshua is being billed as a heavy favourite to have his hand raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and this is something which former world champion Johnny Nelson expects to happen.

However, if Joshua fails to beat the former UFC heavyweight champions, Nelson believes that Joshua's career could take a huge nosedive. 

"I think he [Anthony Joshua] comes through it with flying colours," Nelson told Sky Sports when asked to give a prediction on the fight. 

"I think Joshua wants to be world champion again, I think Joshua knows what responsibility he will have. He will know 'I just have to get through this fight and get the win' because of the big pot of gold at the end of it.

"Common sense is risk-reward. For me, the risk way outweighs the reward. If Joshua somehow loses to Ngannou, that is it - credibility is gone, career is in tatters, and it is a lot of rebuilding.

"The risk is far too high, why would you? If you lose to him, all the Olympics, all the success, being two-time heavyweight champion, it is all gone, it has gone up in smoke because that is what you remember, you lost to a guy who had one previous fight before you.

"To me, common sense, I wouldn't do it. Business-wise, I wouldn't do it, but Ngannou has got himself into a position where you cannot ignore him."

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