Eddie Hearn has hit back at Lennox Lewis over a claim that Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou could be a ‘disaster’.
Former heavyweight world champion Joshua is set to take on ex-UFC star Ngannou on 8 March in Saudi Arabia.
During the press conference on Monday, Ngannou sent AJ a stern warning, he said: “I'm going as the underdog to win this fight! I don't take my last fight as a reference [point]. I get this fight done!”
Reacting to the fight, former boxer Lewis wrote on social media: “IMO, 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?
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“If he loses, than it’s an absolute disaster. The same stood for Fury and it almost cost him everything.”
However, Hearn has hit back by writing: “Listen in to yesterday..the winner fights the winner of Fury v Usyk for Undisputed and when AJ joins your club I know you will be delighted for him.”
Ngannou also questioned Johsua’s chin during the press conference.
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He said: “I heard he doesn't have a chin. I don't know if it's true or not. I hope I have the opportunity to test it out, that's my wish.
“I'm the underground king. I might not be the champion in boxing, but I'm a life champion. I'm pretty good at finding my way to do my thing.”
Joshua said: “His mind I have to conquer. You have to take someone's soul, you have to take someone's spirit. I'm looking forward to the challenge.
“He gave Fury an unbelievable fight. I thought 'hang on a minute here'. The fight was not something I was looking at straight away, but that's someone who is going to cause a bit of chaos in the heavyweight division.”
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn, Francis Ngannou, Lennox Lewis
Marcus Chan