BetKing_NG_AJ v Ngannou blog.jpg

You know the iconic Jay-Z line on Kanye West’s “So Appalled”?; **“Moral victories is for minor league coaches.”** We’re in total agreement with that. When Jay-Z said that, he was emphasising the idea that in the competitive world, settling for moral victories or feeling satisfied with just doing your best isn’t enough. In sports, minor league coaches might be satisfied with moral victories, meaning they are content with their team playing well even if they don’t win.  

However, Jay-Z is suggesting that in life, especially in the pursuit of success and excellence, settling for anything less than actual victory or achieving your goals is like being at a lower level or accepting mediocrity.  

However, on this one occasion, we firmly believe that Francis Ngannou’s moral victory following his defeat to Tyson Fury is something that should be embraced.  

A year ago, the name “Francis Ngannou” wasn’t taken seriously in the boxing world. Despite being a renowned UFC fighter with 8 wins of his 13 fights ending in the first round before the 2-minute mark, earning him the nickname “The Predator,” the Cameroonian’s reputation was confined to the Octagon.  

Stepping into the boxing ring meant adhering to a unique set of rules, an arena he had never ventured into before.  

However, in October, Ngannou stunned the boxing community when, in his debut against WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury in the highly anticipated bout dubbed the “Battle of the Baddest”, he knocked down The Gypsy King in the 3rd round, pushing the fight to the scorecards.  

Despite Fury having more Total Punches (71 to 59), Ngannou’s dominance in Power Punches with a 37 to 32 advantage couldn’t be ignored. Although Fury secured a controversial Split Decision victory (95–94, 96–93, 94–95), Ngannou’s performance solidified his presence in the sport. No longer viewed as a mere “money grabber,” he had earned widespread respect. WBC ranked him #10 shortly after the fight.  

The Predator now has his sights set on another target: Anthony Joshua. Given Joshua’s Nigerian heritage, some sports enthusiasts see this matchup as a follow up between Nigeria and Cameroon, reminiscent of their recent clash in the AFCON 2023. In that match, the Nigeria national football team were comfortable 2-0 winners, and many online betting analysts predict a similar dominant outcome for Joshua over Ngannou. However, that may not be as clear-cut as some might expect. 

Though **Anthony Joshua is on a 3-fight winning streak,** the back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, which saw him lose his WBA, IBF, WBO & IBO titles, are still fresh in the memories of boxing fans worldwide. However, Joshua sees this as a chance for further redemption as he continues his quest to reclaim his lost titles.  

Monosnap Knockout Chaos_ Anthony Joshua vs. Franci.png

Anticipation for this fight is high, especially considering the sheer power these two fighters bring to the ring. Anthony Joshua is widely regarded as the second hardest heavyweight puncher after Deontay Wilder, boasting an impressive record of five first-round career knockouts and securing over half of his wins in three rounds or fewer.  

On the other hand, Francis Ngannou is renowned for possessing the hardest punch in any professional combat sport. His training under Mike Tyson ahead of the fight with Tyson Fury only adds to his intimidating aura.  

Joshua maintains an astonishing knockout ratio of 89%; among the best in elite-level boxing, while Ngannou has clinched 12 out of his 13 UFC wins via single punches or combinations. Given these factors, it’s no surprise that one of our betting tips for the day is that the method of victory for this fight will likely be a knockout (KO) or technical knockout (TKO). Also, our bet of the day is that both fighters will be knocked down at some point.  

● Method of Victory: Anthony Joshua to Win by KO, TKO or DQ 

● Method of Victory: Francis Ngannou to Win by KO, TKO or DQ  

● Anthony Joshua to be Knocked Down 

● Francis Ngannou to be Knocked Down  

Both fighters appear focused ahead of this fight. Francis Ngannou isn’t dwelling on his brilliant fight with Tyson Fury which saw fans demand for his return to the ring: **“Yes, the Tyson Fury fight was great, but that’s now in the past and I now have a new challenge in front of me, which I take even more serious now than I did before because I think there’s something more on the line, probably the undisputed [title]. Let’s see, maybe I do something that nobody has done before. I believe I have the tools, starting with a win against AJ.”** 

Anthony Joshua was calmer and hinted at a mental approach to this fight: **“His mind is just different to everyone. Every fighter is unique in their own way, but in terms of the frame and the makeup of someone, he’s seen people like me, I’ve seen people like him many times before. It’s just his mind I’ll have to conquer in the ring. You have to take someone’s soul, you have to take their spirit, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”** 

While Francis Ngannou may not openly admit it, he has a significant advantage. He’s essentially playing with house money, meaning he has less pressure on him compared to Anthony Joshua, for whom a loss could have devastating consequences, career-wise. Joshua understands the stakes and knows he must secure the win, which won’t come easy. However, he has the benefit of studying a full 12-round tape of Ngannou, giving him valuable insights and strategies to use in the fight, something a clearly proud and dismissive Tyson Fury didn’t have.  

● Anthony Joshua to win 

● Over 1.5 Total Knockdowns 

● Under 8.5 Rounds

[Additional Markets: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou](https://m.betking.com/sports/boxing/leagues/prematch/anthony-joshua-vs-francis-ngannou-additional-markets)  

[Sign up](https://m.betking.com/account/registration) with the best betting site in Nigeria, to start betting on [Boxing](https://m.betking.com/sports/boxing/competitions) and [Mixed Martial Arts fights.](https://m.betking.com/sports/mma/competitions) You can also [enjoy our new “bet and get ₦600,000” welcome bonus,](https://m.betking.com/help/bet-and-get-n-600-000) and other exciting offers, excellent odds, and much more! 

Who are you backing to win, Anthony Joshua or Francis Ngannou? Put your money where your mouth is for a chance to win big with BetKing!

Betting Tips

Knockout Chaos: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou