Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou press conference LIVE: Latest updates ahead of fight in Saudi Arabia

Re-live updates after the fighters shared a stage and traded words, two days before their heavyweight clash

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Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou went face to face at a press conference on Wednesday, just 48 hours before fight night in Saudi Arabia.

Former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua will box Ngannou, a former UFC champion, in Riyadh on Friday (8 March), in the latter’s second fight in the sport. The Cameroonian, 37, made his boxing debut in October, flooring WBC champion Tyson Fury en route to a controversial decision loss.

Now Ngannou has returned to Riyadh for another clash with a Briton, as he prepares to face “AJ”, 34. Joshua’s last fight also came in the Saudi city, as he stopped Otto Wallin in five rounds in December. With that, the Olympic gold medalist made it three wins from three fights in 2023, following his stoppage of Robert Helenius and decision victory over Jermaine Franklin.

Joshua vs Ngannou has been billed as “Knockout Chaos”, but before the heavyweights trade punches, they traded words at Wednesday’s press conference. Re-live updates below.

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

• Anthony Joshua boxes ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou on Friday
• Ahead of fight in Saudi Arabia, heavyweights go face to face at press conference at 4pm GMT
• Ngannou, 37, made boxing debut vs Tyson Fury in October
• Cameroonian floored Fury but lost controversial decision
• Joshua, 34, seeks to build on three wins from three fights in 2023
• Briton stopped Otto Wallin in December in most recent fight

[6 March 2024 18:15 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

That’s all from us, folks. Thanks for following along! We’ll be back tomorrow with a live blog of the weigh-ins!

Anthony Joshua (left) faces off with Francis Ngannou ahead of Friday’s fight (Getty Images)

[6 March 2024 18:09 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

What was being said here...?

(Getty Images)

[6 March 2024 18:05 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou have chatted a lot about Airpods this week!

(Getty Images)

[6 March 2024 17:57 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

Time for face-offs!

[6 March 2024 17:55 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

Joshua tells Ngannou that he can keep the Airpod!

Ngannou: “Good luck on Friday night, see you then.”

Joshua: “Respect.”

Warren: “It’s gonna be a marvellous fight, wherever you’re watching. Don’t blink.”

Hearn: “Tune in, Friday night, live on Dazn. An incredible card from top to bottom.”

[6 March 2024 17:53 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

Joshua, when asked if he’s going to ‘fight fire with fire’: “One hundred per cent, let’s go.”

[6 March 2024 17:53 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

Joshua: “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.”

[6 March 2024 17:51 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

Ngannou seemingly has Joshua’s left Airpod! Joshua starts playing his music into his mic, however.

“I don’t know why there’s a big conspiracy about what I’m listening to,” Joshua laughs.

[6 March 2024 17:50 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

Joshua: “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.”

[6 March 2024 17:48 · Alex Pattle]

Joshua vs Ngannou press conference LIVE

Joshua’s coach, Ben Davison: “There’s probably a false sense of confidence [that Ngannou has] taken from the last fight. I think it’s gonna be a totally different situation.”