During his open workouts for his bout with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, boxing icon Anthony Joshua was joined in the ring by members of a nearby boxing club.
Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is currently in the last phases of his preparation against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou. The two will square off on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
On Tuesday night in Riyadh, both men gave fans a sneak peek at some of their talents. However, Joshua did not even wrap his hands or put on a pair of gloves.
Joshua welcomed a few kids into the ring and watched the boys hit pads as he stood in a corner of the ring. Joshua said: “It’s a great chance for me to let other people use the platform that I’ve created to express themselves and their talent.”
“I know how much the people of Saudi are embracing boxing and health in general, not everyone wants to be a world champion. I gave them a chance to get on TV and hopefully, their parents will see and it will boost their morale. I’m here to fight, I wasn’t acknowledging that [the fans] with all due respect, I’m here to fight. This is my life. Talk is cheap.”
Coach Dewey Cooper took Ngannou through a brief pad session. The 37-year-old then unintentionally said something X-rated to DAZN host Olivia Buzaglo during an interview after the workout.
The interviewer asked: “Are you going to stay around to watch Anthony Joshua do his open workout or have you watched enough of him in the build-up to this fight? I think he’s going to be here in not much time.”
Ngannou then confidently replied: “I have something else to do… which is you.” He then promptly added: “Media!”
The winner of Joshua and Ngannou’s bout will be given a chance to challenge for the undisputed world title. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will square for that title on May 18. Ngannou seems to be hoping that Fury defeats Usyk so that they can rematch.