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Francis Ngannou has confirmed that heavyweight great Mike Tyson has not trained him for Friday night’s crossover clash with Anthony Joshua.
Ngannou teamed up with Tyson ahead of his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in October, and ‘Iron’ Mike nearly guided him to a famous victory in Saudi Arabia.
The former UFC champion knocked down Fury in the third round, but lost a narrow decision. He has now returned to the Middle East to face another Brit, Joshua, but this time he won’t have Tyson on his side.
When asked if he had been working with Tyson again, Ngannou said sport mail: ‘Unfortunately not for this camp.
“My entire camp was here in Saudi Arabia, so I was here this whole time, even though I was training at Mike Tyson’s gym!”
Francis Ngannou has revealed that he has not been trained by Mike Tyson for his fight with Anthony Joshua
Ngannou worked alongside Tyson in his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury.
Ngannou knocked down Fury in October, but lost a close decision to Gypsy King.
Ngannou admits he no longer has the element of surprise in his favor but still hopes to beat Anthony Joshua (pictured) on Friday.
Ngannou was given little hope of beating Fury last year but shocked the world by holding his own against the WBC champion.
Reflecting on that night, the Cameroon-born star insisted he has only gained confidence thanks to his performance and is convinced he can cause another big upset this week.
‘I learned a lot about sport, about boxing. I gained a lot of experience in that training camp, in that fight, in everything,” Ngannou added.
‘And one thing I understand is simply an affirmation of what I have always believed, that anything is possible. Come to my first fight, face a world champion and beat him up!’
Ngannou has admitted that the element of surprise will not be a factor in his fight with Joshua after his impressive outing against Fury, but he still hopes to have enough to overcome the two-time heavyweight king.
“My prediction is that I’m going to win,” he said. “I know it’s going to be a tough fight, it’s going to be a very competitive fight, a very challenging fight because now Anthony Joshua has definitely seen the tape on me.
“There’s a tape on me, unlike last time, so he’s been preparing for me, preparing for some style, and I think that’s going to make it a little difficult for me.”