Eddie Hearn might be making the same mistake as Tyson Fury and his team – downplaying the skills of Francis Ngannou! ‘The Predator’ taught ‘The Gypsy King’ not to make such mistakes again in their fight in October last year, and it might be Joshua’s turn on March 8. But the main question is: Is Anthony Joshua thinking along the same lines too? 

While on an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s show back in October, Hearn had claimed that if Joshua and Ngannou were to fight, it would be easy work for AJ. The conversation happened soon after the Ngannou vs. Fury fight had concluded. However, in an interview on the same show, Anthony Joshua cleared up the air about the ‘easy money’ remark about the Ngannou fight. 

Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua, together through thick and thin

Looking to create drama, Helwani swiftly brought up Hearn’s comments while speaking to Joshua about the upcoming brawl aptly dubbed ‘Knockout Chaos.’ “Your man, Eddie Hearn, said, he said this was easy work. He said easy work, easy money. Do you agree?” asked Helwani. The MMA journalist could not finish his question as Joshua’s thunderous laugh permeated the room. Joshua responded, “Don’t worry about what he said! There’s no easy fight, there’s no easy fight.”

When probed further by Helwani about Hearn’s remark, questioning Hearn’s thoughts behind the remark, Joshua simply clarified that, “He believes in me.” Joshua proceeded to present an interesting analogy of the situation, “[Ever seen] someone on X Factor that can’t sing, but their parents believe in them?” He claimed it’s the same with Hearn and him, stating, “Eddie’s my guy, like through thick and thin. So, he’s always gonna back me.” While Joshua believes there are no easy fights, even Hearn seems to have changed his mind about Ngannou.

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Hearn thinks ‘AJ’ looks like a middleweight in front of Francis Ngannou

During yesterday’s press conference for the upcoming fight, Hearn spoke to TNT Sports, singing a whole new song about Francis Ngannou. It was far from his prior easy money and easy fight remarks about the fight with the former UFC heavyweight champion. The interviewer questioned Hearn about how it felt to be standing in the presence of two mountains.

The head of Matchroom Boxing suggested, “I mean…Francis Ngannou was talking. I was looking at him, thinking, look at the size of your head, your neck. I turned to AJ – I thought you look[ed] like a middleweight compared to this guy.” He added that it was the first time Joshua was competing against someone similar in frame and mass, if not bigger than Joshua.

Also Read: Francis Ngannou Gets Put On Red Notice as Anthony Joshua Intends ‘War’ Mindset for Showdown in Riyadh

With a little over a month left in their fight in March, Anthony Joshua has cleared the air about Hearn’s remarks on the Francis Ngannou fight. However, does that mean Hearn was trying to hype up the fight when he made those remarks? Why do you think he changed his mind?

Watch This Story: Eddie Hearn Names the fighter who can defeat Francis Ngannou within one round