Just as big time boxing thought it had got used to going into the Arabian desert Anthony Joshua played his part in disorienting us again by making his Grand pre-fight Arrival in a Greek Amphitheatre.
AJ and his heavyweight opponent this Friday night – UFC legend Francis Ngannou – were walked through a theme park featuring a League of Nations and onto the Red (well, grey) Carpet in the Hellenic Republic’s pavilion.
Joined by promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, as well as undercard fighters including Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, Joshua and Ngannou lit up the stage on a spectacular evening as excitement ramps up for this week’s main event.
Joshua is the heavy favourite to prevail, but after Ngannou pushed Tyson Fury all the way on his boxing debut in October, he cannot be written off and he cut a relaxed figure on Monday night.
Once there we might as well have been in Las Vegas.
Anthony Joshua made his pre-fight arrival in a Greek ampitheatre on Monday night
He posed for pictures in the spectacular venue ahead of his huge fight this week
Joshua was happy to take selfies on a grand stage that could easily have been found in Las Vegas
Joshua will be facing former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Riyadh on Friday night
Ngannou is the underdog but cut a relaxed figure as he arrived in the Middle East
They posed for a burst of flash bulbs. Then they said what they are supposed to say wherever they go to battle.
Joshua: ‘I’ve worked hard. I’ve trained every day. I know it will be a tough fight. But I expect to knock him out.’
Ngannou: ‘Ditto.’
Watch this space.
Promoters Frank Warren (left) and Eddie Hearn (right) appeared to share a joke with each other
Joseph Parker looked focused as he looks to back up his December win over Deontay Wilder
Parker has a tough task as he will be taking on giant Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang
Joshua insisted that he expects to knock Ngannou out as he looks to get back into the title mix
Ngannou has backed himself to pull off a major shock by stopping Joshua inside the distance
