Anthony Joshua has suggested that he 'wants to entertain' when he squares off against Francis Ngannou on Friday night.
Just two-and-a-half months after methodically breaking down Otto Wallin in five one-sided rounds, Joshua returns to the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.
The objective, first and foremost, is to overcome an opponent in former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou who floored Tyson Fury on his debut in the squared circle.
Although the 37-year-old would go on to lose that fight with the WBC heavyweight champion on points, he is now regarded as a bonafide heavyweight contender, as opposed to the perception before his meeting with Fury.
Joshua mixed discipline with explosiveness when he defeated Wallin, and he has hinted that it may be more of the same in two days' time.
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β DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 6, 2024
Speaking at a press conference, Joshua said: "God is good, life is good, no complaining. We're happy. All will be revealed. Straight-up war, relentlessness. That's what people have come for, isn't it? A good fight.
"It's already written in the stars what's gonna happen, I'm just following my destiny."
He added: "We work for these people out here, it's our duty to entertain them, but that's what I signed up to do. Bring every challenge, and I'll step up to the plate."
Meanwhile, Ngannou has played down the achievement of putting Fury to the canvas in his professional boxing debut, insisting that more is to come on the back of that experience.
Ngannou said: "I think I haven't shocked the world yet. I'm still in the 'factory', training, learning. When I really get it, that's when I think the world is really gonna be shocked.
"I think I trust the process and the work that we're putting in, so it's gonna pay off."
If Joshua can overcome Ngannou, he is likely to fight for a world title in his next fight, whether that be for the IBF belt or against the winner of the Fury and Oleksandr Usyk undisputed showdown.
Darren Plant
