Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua haven’t taken their fight yet, but the former revealed that there’s already a planned rematch between them after this. According to the MMA star, the idea was proposed by Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, calling it the “Black Excellence.”
Ngannou and Joshua are set to enter the boxing ring on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight is the fruit of Ngannou’s derailed plans with Deontay Wilder, whom the MMA star originally planned to fight but recently experienced a loss to Joseph Parker. Fortunately for Ngannou, Joshua also expressed interest in fighting him and even promised to give him a KO. Later, the fight was confirmed, making Joshua his second official boxing opponent after Tyson Fury.
And while the fight is still months away, Ngannou revealed that a rematch between them is already being considered. The two fighters are of African heritage, making the plan to bring their next fight to Africa logical.
“Eddie Hearn said a lot of s***, but one thing he said that makes sense is maybe a potential rematch in Africa with Joshua,” Ngannou shared. “I think that sounds cool. We will call that Black Excellence.”
Of course, the promotion will have more reasons to push the rematch plan if Ngannou wins. And for the MMA star, he can do it.
“I think most likely (I’m) knocking Anthony Joshua out,” Ngannou said on The MMA Hour. “I think that he’s easier to go down than Fury. I mean, not that he’s not a strong fighter. He’s a very tough fighter, but he’s easier to send down than Fury, and it’s harder for him to get back up than Fury.”
Hearn, nonetheless, is doubtful that Ngannou can survive Joshua, betting on his boxing fighter as the dominant player in the match.
“…I really believe AJ knocks him out,” Hearn said of Ngannou. “But he’s a dangerous fight. I know that this guy’s a big, big lump that can really punch, and I think he has no fear, which makes him dangerous. But I just feel like AJ’s in a great place, and I expect him to pick him apart and knock him out.”