Claressa Shields believes that Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou will end in a split decision victory for one of the fighters.
Former world heavyweight champion Joshua takes on former UFC heavyweight titlist Ngannou on March 8 in Saudi Arabia, live on DAZN.com.
Joshua’s last outing was an impressive victory against Otto Wallin back in December, also in Saudi Arabia, and the Kingdom played host to Ngannou’s last fight, when he made his boxing debut in a tough decision defeat to Tyson Fury, with many believing Ngannou had done enough.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Shields thinks it is an exceptionally tough once to call, saying: "I think it's going to be a good fight. At first I kind of felt that AJ was going to knock out Ngannou, that's how I saw the fight. Now it's kind of shifted on, I feel like it'll be a split decision going either guy's way.
"I say that because it feels like AJ has a lot to prove and I feel like when he's got a lot to prove sometimes he puts too much pressure on himself and he doesn't fight his fight. And if he doesn't fight his fight against Francis, Francis is a big, strong and powerful guy too so it can be a closer fight.
"I believe that AJ has everything in the tank to beat Francis. He just has to do it."
Live on DAZN: Check your region for the Saudi Pro League. Click here for details.