UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is “rooting” for Francis Ngannou to beat Anthony Joshua but would put his money on the Briton to win.
Ngannou faces Joshua in Saudi Arabia on March 8 in a fight shown live on DAZN.com, and both of them are hugely impressive fighters.
Joshua is a two-time world champion in the ring, while Ngannou pushed Tyson Fury hard in his debut last year and is a former UFC heavyweight champion.
Many are backing the more experienced boxer to win, but Ngannou showed with his aptitude last year.
Jones was attending the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions event, also in Saudi Arabia and also shown on DAZN.com (click here for details), and was asked on how he saw the fight going.
He said: “I’m rooting for Francis to win, only because of his story, how far he’s come in life, him being a fellow mixed-martial artist. How could you not root for Francis?
“Francis is a wonderful, stand-up person. But Anthony Joshua has been doing this since he was a young boy, and I’m the type of guy who just gives respect where it’s due.
“So if I personally had to put my money on it - not that I gamble - I would put it on Anthony Joshua.
“But I am rooting for Francis. Sorry Francis!”
Looks like @JonnyBones is rooting for @francis_ngannou when he takes on @anthonyjoshua 👀 #PFLvsBellator | #JoshuaNgannou | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/tqH1xAOm79
Click here for more details to watch the rest of PFL vs. Bellator, live on DAZN .