Rival Trainer Believes Anthony Joshua Gets Stopped By Francis Ngannou

Shaun George, the trainer of Zhilei Zhang believes Anthony Joshua will get knocked out by Francis Ngannou.

Ngannou is set to return to the ring on Friday against Joshua, in a highly-anticipated bout. Ngannou is coming off a split-decision loss to Tyson Fury and heading into this fight, there is confidence by the former UFC heavyweight champion.

Although Anthony Joshua is the betting favorite, George thinks the Brit will get knocked out by Ngannou.

“Joshua gets stopped,” George told DAZN, via BoxingScene. “That’s my opinion. I’m the one to say it – Anthony Joshua gets stopped in this fight. Joshua is the better boxer – he should win the fight. I understand why everybody in the boxing world is picking Joshua [to win] and he’s doing it for the sport of boxing.  But looking at Francis Ngannou – people is not looking at that he’s actually been in the boxing gym for five years, with [his trainer] Dewey Cooper. Training twice a week; three times a week; even in the gym sparring with other boxers.”

If Joshua does get knocked out by Ngannou, it would be a bit of a surprise, but it would change the entire landscape of the heavyweight division.

“You gotta take into consideration that the rhythm [of mixed martial artists] is different,” he continued. “I see it in the gym all the time – MMA fighters go against boxers; their rhythm is different; they fight at a different pace. I’m not sure Anthony Joshua can make that adjustment.”

But, for now, George is focused on Zhang’s fight on Friday against Joseph Parker. It’s a highly-anticipated fight and George is confident Zhang will get the hand raised.

Do you think Francis Ngannou will KO Anthony Joshua?