John Fury has discussed Francis Ngannou’s threat as he prepares to face Anthony Joshua on March 8, 2024.

Ngannou showed the world what he could do against Tyson Fury on his boxing debut. He sent Fury to the canvas in the third round and lasted the distance with the WBC Heavyweight Champion. Despite landing the more eye-catching shots, Fury secured the split decision to avoid a major embarrassment.

But the performance earned Ngannou a top-ten WBC ranking, allowing him to secure the Joshua fight. Before the Fury-Ngannou fight, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion’s power was being discussed. However, there were question marks over whether this could translate into boxing since MMA fighters use smaller-ounce gloves. The left hook showed Ngannou was a danger, as John Fury warned the rest of the heavyweight division.

John Fury On Ngannou

“He’s a danger to every heavyweight in the division,” Fury said. “I’m not saying he’s going to beat [Joshua], but if any man can, it’ll be him. He’s in front of you. He can punch. He’s a brave fella. He’s big and strong. You’ve got to have a set down there to mess with people like Ngannou and he brings a whole new level of boxing to A.J. 

The biggest opponent he’s faced. The strongest opponent he’s faced. And probably the hardest hitter he’s ever faced. And if he does detonate on you… Unless you’ve got a cast iron chin like Tyson and a desire like Tyson to win, you’re going to stay down," John Fury said

And yet, it is too early to tell from a single performance just how good Ngannou was in the Fury fight. The narrative was that Fury overlooked the MMA fighter, as he had one eye on the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship fight with Oleksandr Usyk. Those comments may hold some weight since the bout was already announced before the Ngannou fight, which provided an unwelcome distraction.

Fury’s training methods were also criticized, with John Fury stating that Usyk would come out victorious unless he improved. But if Joshua easily beats Ngannou, it will draw comparisons between Fury and his performance.

John Fury On Joshua

Joshua is in good form, stopping Otto Wallin in his last fight. After teaming up with Ben Davidson, the perception is that Joshua is back to his best. He will have the chance to show that against Ngannou, but John Fury is cautious about Joshua simply walking through him.

"Ngannou is a big strong fella. He’s muscly, but he can also move. He’s athletic and if you’re there, he’ll take the top of your head straight off. And don’t forget he’s a lot more powerful a man than any Andy Ruiz Jr. When he gets you in trouble, you’ll know about it and he won’t just do that with A.J. He’ll do it to anybody out there,” John Fury added

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