Joe Joyce stands as a unique observer in the impending clash between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou, set to unfold in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 38-year-old occupies a rare position, having shared the ring with both pugilists prior to their highly anticipated showdown.
In November 2020, Joyce engaged in sparring sessions with Ngannou in preparation for the latter’s triumph over Daniel Dubois, a full three years before the former UFC heavyweight champion transitioned to boxing. Dubbed “The Predator,” Ngannou garnered global attention when he felled WBC heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury, nearly clinching victory in their encounter last October.
Reflecting on his experience sparring with Ngannou, Joyce acknowledged the formidable power possessed by his counterpart. However, he was astounded by Ngannou’s prowess displayed in his boxing debut against one of the sport’s premier heavyweights.
Having sparred with Ngannou for four rounds, Joyce noted an evolution in Ngannou’s technique, observing a marked improvement from his earlier days in UFC. Despite the power behind Ngannou’s punches, Joyce found him to be more susceptible to telegraphing his moves, a trait less pronounced in the precision of boxing.
Joyce’s history with Joshua extends deeper, with the latter halting Joyce in the first round of their sole amateur encounter, during which they were teammates. Their acquaintance dates back to their time as sparring partners, with Joyce recounting numerous sessions leading up to their involvement in the GB team.
Leaked footage surfaced showcasing Joshua dominating Joyce during their sparring days as GB athletes, a video Joyce dismissed as selectively edited by Joshua’s team to portray a biased narrative.
As the much-anticipated clash between Joshua and Ngannou looms, Joyce remains uncertain about the outcome. Despite witnessing Ngannou’s ability to trouble Tyson Fury, Joyce expresses reservations about Ngannou’s transition to the world of professional boxing. Additionally, while acknowledging Joshua’s wealth of experience in the sport, Joyce emphasizes Ngannou’s boxing roots and his impressive display against Fury.
In sum, Joyce refrains from making a definitive prediction, labeling the impending showdown as a 50/50 affair. While both contenders possess formidable punching power, Joshua’s experience contrasts with Ngannou’s relative novelty in professional boxing, leaving the outcome of the bout shrouded in uncertainty.