Preparing Anthony Joshua to Face Elite Competition in Saudi Arabia
Ben Davison, the renowned trainer responsible for Anthony Joshua’s preparation to fight Francis Ngannou next month in Saudi Arabia, emphasized the importance of training the British heavyweight champ to face an “elite” world-level athlete. Davison, who played a pivotal role in Joshua’s camp leading up to his recent victory over Otto Wallin, is no stranger to working with top-tier boxers, having previously overseen Tyson Fury’s comeback to the heavyweight division several years ago.
Joshua’s performance against Wallin marked a significant return to form for the Olympic gold medallist, especially following his back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Critics had questioned Joshua’s in-ring style, labeling it as too conservative, but his triumph over Wallin showcased a rejuvenated fighter ready to reclaim his status as a dominant force in the heavyweight division.
A triumph over Ngannou, despite his limited boxing experience, could potentially propel Joshua back into contention for another world title shot. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion who gave Fury a run for his money last October, poses a formidable challenge for Joshua in their upcoming bout in Saudi Arabia on March 8.
In a recent interview with Full Circle, Davison acknowledged the tough task ahead for Joshua, emphasizing Ngannou’s status as an elite level fighter despite his relative lack of boxing experience. Davison highlighted Ngannou’s previous successes in combat sports, including his world title win in the UFC, as evidence of his prowess in the ring.
As Davison aptly put it, “It’s a fight at the end of the day. Both fighters are physically imposing and skilled athletes, and we can’t overlook Ngannou’s capabilities as a trained fighter who has competed at the highest levels of combat sports. Dismissing him as anything less than a world-level opponent would be a grave mistake.”
While some may underestimate Ngannou’s boxing credentials, Davison’s unwavering respect for his opponent’s abilities serves as a testament to the seriousness with which Team Joshua is approaching this upcoming showdown. With the stakes higher than ever, Joshua’s training regime under Davison’s guidance is focused on ensuring that he is prepared to face an elite competitor in Ngannou and emerge victorious in Saudi Arabia.