By Gabriel Princewill-
Heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis , has taken to social media to express his discontentment with the upcoming bout between Anthony Joshua and former UFC champion, Francis Ngannou, scheduled for March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The “crossover” event, which sees Ngannou step into the boxing ring again after a commendable debut against Tyson Fury, has drawn criticism from Lewis, who deems the clash a spectacle lacking in credibility. Lewis was Britain’s last undisputed world heayyweight champion in an era filed with quality opposition that saw him forced to delve in the trenches on numerous occasions. He avenged the only two defeats during his 14 year career after coming though several stiff tests . He has derided Joshua for agreeing to a fight against Ngannou, who has had just one professional fight which he marginally lost against unbeaten Tyson Fury.
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Ngannou pushed Fury close after spectacularly dropping the Wbc champion in the third round of their exhibition fight and narrowly losing on a controversial points decision to the unbeaten gypsy king.
Ngannou’s chances had been written off before the fight, but he confounded expectations in his biggest career opportunity which was also very lucrative for him.
In a recent post on social media, Lewis acknowledged Ngannou’s accomplishments but questioned the value this fight adds to Joshua’s resume.
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He stated: “This fight adds ZERO credibility to AJ’s resume. He’s supposed to win this fight, and when he does, what does he gain or learn by beating someone in his second HW fight? If he loses, [then] it’s an absolute disaster.”
Francis Ngannou has it all to prove against Joshua in March
This isn’t the first time Lewis has aimed criticism at Joshua, and accusations of being a “hater” have followed. Lewis defended his critiques, emphasizing they stemmed from Joshua’s failure, along with promoter Eddie Hearn, to make a fight with Deontay Wilder for undisputed status years ago when both were champions.
Lewis says the winner of Joshua-Ngannou does not deserve a shot at the upcoming undisputed heavyweight championship between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on February 17.
Instead, he suggested that the victor of the heavyweight clash between China’s Zhilei Zhang and New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, both showcasing stellar performances recently, would be more deserving of the opportunity. Parker recently outclassed American Deontey Wilder in Riyadh, where he came very close to stopping the Alabama puncher, before winning decisively on points.
Lewis says dangerous Zhilei Zhang is more deserving than Joshua of title shot
The criticism from Lewis adds extra pressure on Joshua, as the former undisputed heavyweight champion questions the significance of this bout in shaping the legacy of the current British heavyweight.
Lewis’s comments raise the stakes for Joshua, emphasizing that a victory against Ngannou, while expected, is crucial for maintaining credibility in the competitive heavyweight division.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, responded to Lewis’s remarks, stating: “Winner of #JoshuaNgannou v winner of #FuryUsyk. The dream has always been Undisputed, and we are one win away from challenging for it.” Hearn downplayed Lewis’s preferences for Parker or Zhang, asserting that Joshua remains on course for a shot at undisputed glory.
Anthony Joshua was once regarded as Britain’s golden goose as he cruise to quick explosive victories in his first 20 fights, stopping Wladimir Klitschko in his 19th fight after 11 scintillating rounds in which he showed great resolve.
Anthony Joshua was once Britain’s golden goose as his saw off opponents in quick succession
Three fights later, the seeming once invincible Joshua would eventually succumb to a battering in the hands of Any Ruiz Jnr after five rounds, avenging the defeat five months later, but losing to Olegsander Usyk in back to back defeats two years later. His stock thereafter diminished, but he has since bounced back with three successive vixtories, the latest against Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia last month.
His choice of Ngannou following an impressive showing against Tyson Fury has divided opinion in boxing circles, with critics viewing this fight as a step backwards, rather than the progressive expectation of a clash with fighters positioned at the higher echelons of the division like Filip Hrgović or highly rated contender, Zhilei Zhang.
In reality, Ngannou will present a respectable challenge for Joshua, given his heavy punch and high resilience, notwithstanding his inexperience in the professional ranks of the sport. The Cameroonian boxer may be a boxing novice, but he is not a professional novice. The fight will be very lucrative for both fighters because of the cross over appeal which brings together fans from both sports, but with the added risk of disgrace should Joshua get stopped in his tracks.
The showdown could end up being good for the Londoner if he wins a competitive fight in which Ngannou looks good, though currently remains in a no win situation because of the risk posed by his opponent who for all his inexperience in the paid ranks has already demonstrated his potency against Fury.
Boxing commentators have expressed their views that Fury took the fight lightly, but the sport of boxing has no room for excuses in professional fights. Boxers are generally strictly judged on their performance in the ring, not the subsequent stream of opinions about factors that may mitigate a poor showing.
Next month, Tyson Fury and Olegsander Usyk will lock horns to determine the first undisputed world heavyweight champion in two decades. with a rematch scheduled for the end of the year.
It remains to be seen who will actually be challenging the eventual winner of both fights.
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