British heavyweight Matty Harris believes that Anthony Joshua has the upper hand ahead of his fight with Francis Ngannou.
Joshua faces Ngannou on March 8 in Saudi Arabia, live on DAZN PPV in the biggest heavyweight clash of the year so far.
The winner is set to take on the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, with the title holders facing off on May 18, also on DAZN PPV.
Harris meanwhile fights tonight against Amine Boucetta on the undercard for Abass Baraou vs. Sam Eggington, shown live on DAZN.com in the US and other regions (check for details).
Contradicting many other fighters who had trained with Ngannou, Harris said his experience of sparring with the former UFC heavyweight champion was underwhelming.
“I was sparring Ngannou in September and October ahead of the Fury fight, and he wasn't good,” Harris said, reported BoxingScene.com. “He [Ngannou] boxed exactly the same [vs Fury] when he sparred me. You have to stand off at range with him. I will not give too much away, but he wasn’t that great.
“[Promoter] Nisse [Sauerland] came and watched, and he will be able to back me up on what I have said. He has got no chance against Joshua, and I think Joshua will go straight through him.
“I don’t think Fury prepared properly, as well as Ngannou being an unknown quantity, but I think Joshua will go straight through him, no problem.”
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