Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou: Tyson Fury poses for pictures with rival Joshua

[CharlieH]

 

Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou
Venue: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Date: Friday, 8 March Time: Approx 23:00 GMT
Coverage: Follow live text coverage on the BBC Sport website & app from 20:00 GMT, live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live from 21:00 GMT.

Anthony Joshua said "no conversations were had between me and Tyson Fury" after the pair met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday before the former's heavyweight fight with Francis Ngannou on Friday.

The Britons have rarely crossed paths despite their long-running rivalry.

Joshua, Fury and Ngannou took a picture together, alongside footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh.

"I'm quite territorial," Joshua told BBC Sport.

"When I'm in a room, I'll call them my enemies or my competitors. I don't really smile. I can't fake it.

"There's a lot of fake people on these fight weeks. I can't really fake it with it with people."

Promoter Eddie Hearn described Fury as being "on golden form", saying 'The Gypsy King' did not directly speak to Joshua but did take aim at Ngannou for suggesting he won their fight in October.

Joshua - who was not in the room when Fury and Ngannou clashed - added: "I heard something happened between Ngannou but Ngannou would get him a headlock and chop him up.

"All this boxing stuff, on the streets MMA rules 100%."

 

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Alalshikh, as he has done for previous fight nights in Saudi, hosted all the boxers, including Joseph Parker and Justis Huni who are on the undercard, as well as promoters Hearn and Frank Warren.

 

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